People in need of help can now walk in to the Whittlesea Mental Health and Wellbeing Local.
Locals aged 26 years and older can walk in and get the help they need at the centre located in South Morang, free with no GP referral or appointment booking required.
Residents can be also supported with taxi vouchers to attend, and interpreters are available for people who want to discuss their mental health in their native language.
The Whittlesea service is one of 15 Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals (Locals) operating across the state, supporting people experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including those with co-occurring substance use or addiction concerns, providing treatment and care in their community and closer to their support networks.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt highlighted the importance of accessible health care of all forms.
“Services like the Whittlesea Local are helping transform our mental health system and are the perfect ‘front door’ to getting more Victorians the help they need,” she said.
Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage said the announcement will allow people in any financial situation to get necessary help.
“With walk-ins now available, locals who are seeking care can access critically important face-to-face mental health support – and with no GP referral or fees it means anyone can walk in and ask for help,” she said.
A Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System played a big part in the funding and change to the clinic, with a reform to have the wellbeing local act as a ‘front door’ to the mental health system, offering a welcoming and inclusive space to access support from qualified mental health professionals, including peer support workers catering to the diverse needs of all communities.
The state budget’s latest update has allocated funding for planning for 20 more similar services across Victoria.
People in Whittlesea and surrounding communities can now access the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local at 7/1 Danaher Drive, South Morang seven days a week, or can call to arrange a face-to-face or telehealth appointment.
More information: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mhwlocal.
