Work is well underway to transform Victoria’s mental health system with the first six new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals now open in Benalla-Wangaratta-Mansfield, Brimbank, Frankston, Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe, Latrobe and Whittlesea – providing free treatment, care and support for people who are experiencing mental health concerns, including people experiencing mental health and substance use concerns at the same time.
The new services will provide an easy way to get treatment and support for people aged 26 years and over who are experiencing mental health or wellbeing concerns – based locally and without the need to meet any eligibility criteria, and with no need for a referral.
This is one of the flagship reforms recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which will see between 50-60 new services open by the end of 2026.
They will be free and easy to access with no referral required and delivered on a philosophy of ‘how can we help?’ and a ‘no wrong door’ approach.
Mental health professionals and peer workers will work with and support consumers to understand their needs and design a care plan that meets their goals and preferences. Professionals and peer workers will also help with making connections and referrals to other health and social services.
This will mean Victorians will get the support they need sooner while staying in their community, close to their families, carers and supporters.
The service providers for the first six priority locations are:
- Benalla-Wangaratta-Mansfield: Wellways Australia in partnership with Albury Wodonga Health and Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO)
- Brimbank: cohealth in partnership with Clarity Health Care and the University of Melbourne
- Frankston: Wellways Australia in partnership with Peninsula Health and Mentis Assist
- Greater Geelong-Queenscliffe: Barwon Health in partnership with Wellways Australia, ermha365 and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative
- Latrobe: Neami National in partnership with Drummond Street Services and Uniting Vic.Tas
- Whittlesea: Neami National in partnership with Drummond St Services, Uniting VicTas and Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
To find out how to get mental health and wellbeing support, visit Mental Health and Wellbeing .
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are being progressively established across the state. The locations for the procurement of the next round of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals will be:
- Dandenong
- Shepparton
- Melton
- Mildura
- Lilydale
- Bendigo-Echuca
- Orbost-Bairnsdale
It is anticipated that the procurement of the next group of Local Services will open in early February 2023.
Providers who intend to submit for future Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals and other interested parties can register at Buying for to be kept up to date.
If you would like to learn more about delivery of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals visit DH reform Local Services web page.
For information on mental health reform in Victoria, visit Mental health and wellbeing reform.
Reviewed 17 January 2023