Northern suburbs residents will have improved access to mental health services, with a new support hub planned for Craigieburn.
Operated by Mind Australia, the hub is part of a $13.3 million state government commitment to provide Victorians with easier access to mental health support as they continue to navigate through the impacts of the pandemic.
The hub will provide a mix of free face-to-face support, telehealth, mobile outreach and online delivery services.
Mind Australia chief executive Gill Callister said the pandemic had highlighted the need for easily accessible mental health services to provide people with the support they need when they need it.
“Importantly, these new mental health and wellbeing hubs will not require a referral from a GP or health professional, you do not have to have an appointment and you will not have to pay anything to receive help,” she said.
“If you need help, you can reach out and you will get it.
“We know that a local approach is more important than ever after the challenges of the COVID pandemic.”
Lalor resident Holly accessed Mind Australia’s Abbotsford Hub after spending a year on waitlists for private support.
She said the hub and her support worker, Lisa, had provided her with invaluable support.
“I have spent a year on waitlists and I have exhausted all avenues of getting private care – there’s just nowhere to get into. Within two days of enquiring about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, Lisa, my support worker, reached out to me,” Holly said.
“I was very much in a state of crisis before I accessed this service. I was at a stage where I needed assistance with the most basic of tasks; like getting organised for appointments, taking medication and getting groceries – it was all too much.
“Lisa is an angel. She has been amazing; the practical support she has given me has been fantastic.
“It has been helpful having different support options, and for me it is so easy to do Telehealth. Sometimes going out [in the community] can be overwhelming, especially with COVID, but Lisa has been so supportive and always checks in with me a couple of times a week.”
Details: 1300 375 330 or www.mindaustralia.org.au/access-free-and-immediate-support-mental-illness
