Narre Warren is set to receive a multi million dollar boost to mental health services, according to an announcement from the Andrews Labor Government last week.
If re-elected at Saturday’s State election, the Labor Government will invest $67 million into three Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across the state, Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday 17 November.
The funds will deliver new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Narre Warren, Northcote and Leongatha as part of its response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
It comes after a damning report from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System in February last year, which found that the state’s mental health system was operating in “crisis mode”.
The Royal Commission recommended the establishment of 50-60 local mental health services across the state to ensure mental health support is accessible close to home, no matter where you live.
As a key recommendation of the Royal Commission, the walk-in services provide free, easy-to-access care and support for adults who are experiencing mental health concerns or psychological distress, as well as treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.
The first six Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Benalla, Brimbank, Frankston, Greater Geelong, the Latrobe Valley and Whittlesea are now open.
Work is currently underway on another 21 services in Ararat, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Craigieburn, Dandenong, Echuca, Hamilton, Horsham, Lilydale, Melbourne, Melton, Mildura, Orbost, Portland, Ringwood, Shepparton, Sunbury, Truganina, Warrnambool, and Werribee.
A further $10 million will begin planning for another 20 services across the state – bringing the total number of services underway to 50.
The planning work will be the first step towards the 20 services in Altona, Castlemaine, Coburg, Colac, Cranbourne, Diamond Creek, Footscray, Glen Waverley, Heidelberg, Malvern, Officer, Richmond, Robinvale, Sale, Sandringham, St Kilda, Swan Hill, Torquay, Warragul and Wodonga.
They will remove barriers that many Victorians face when they need treatment and connect them to support – without making them jump through hoops like a GP referral or meeting eligibility criteria, the government said.
Mr Andrews said the government is building a new mental health system from the ground up. “These local services will support early intervention, ensuring every Victorian can access quality mental health care closer to home,” he said.
“Victorians shouldn’t have to travel hours away from their own communities and support networks just to get the help they need. These local services will ensure they won’t”.
