State government money for mental health

THE state government has injected $2.3 million into a mental health partnership program between Ballarat Health Services and community support agency, Uniting Ballarat.

Over two years, the client-centric, voluntary program will aim to provide an early intervention service, giving people with mental illness the psycho-social support they need, and working towards a return to ordinary life.

Uniting Ballarat’s Executive Officer, Annette Kelly-Egerton said it was “amazing” to see the state government “step up” and get the project off the ground.

“What’s really important is we’re actually supporting people who have a mental illness to actually be able to be back in our community, living their life, and as much as possible, being able to contribute back into their life,” she said.

Seven staff, some with lived experience, will work with a maximum of 15 consumers at a time. The funding kicks in at the end of the month.