The Victorian Government has established the Wellbeing Promotion Office in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (Royal Commission).
The Royal Commission recommended a renewed focus on mental health promotion and prevention, highlighting the value of a public health approach in reducing the prevalence of mental illness.
The Wellbeing Promotion Office is responsible for developing a Wellbeing in Victoria: A Strategy to Promote Good Mental Health, Victoria's first wellbeing strategy. The Wellbeing Promotion office also delivers programs including Social Inclusion Action Groups and Local Connections - a social prescribing initiative.
Statewide Wellbeing Strategy
The Wellbeing Promotion Office is developing Victoria’s first Wellbeing Strategy to promote good mental health for everyone in Victoria wherever we live, work, learn and play.
It will provide a coordinated approach that brings communities, service providers and government together to strengthen our focus on prevention, promotion and healing.
Read more about the Statewide Wellbeing Strategy.
Social Inclusion Action Groups
Social Inclusion Action Groups are a flagship prevention initiative recommended by the Royal Commission.
The Royal Commission recommended the establishment of community collectives in each of Victoria’s local government areas to support mental health and wellbeing. These community collectives have been renamed Social Inclusion Action Groups (SIAGs).
The Wellbeing Promotion Office will provide coordination and support of the new SIAGs, with funding provided to local councils to establish the groups.
Local community members will be leaders in this reform, identifying local community needs and initiatives to be funded that will promote social inclusion and connection.
Read more about Social Inclusion Action Groups.
Local Connections – a social prescribing initiative
Local Connections – a social prescribing initiative is being trialled in the first six Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals (Local Services).
Local Connections aims to support people to engage in non-clinical community-based activities, such as art, nature or other groups and activities to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
Read more about Local Connections - a social prescribing initiative.
Reviewed 12 September 2023