Home visits for mental health

THIS summer, wellness services are coming to your door thanks to a new initiative from Community Mental Health Australia.

The Assisting Communities through Direct Connection project, funded by the Department of Social Services, aims to check in with residents that may still be feeling the mental impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Twenty regions across Australia are involved, with CMHA collaborating with local organisation Stride Mental Health to visit houses in White Hills and North Bendigo until March next year.

ACDC project staff member Marc Beard said the team of doorknockers are tasked with informing people about services available and providing information packs.

“I think the project will help Bendigo in a big way,” he said. “It will hopefully get people talking about their wellbeing and increase their knowledge about what is out there for support.”

Another ACDC project staff member, Sharon Mitchell, said people have been appreciative so far.

“I have been overwhelmed by the great response we have received from the Bendigo community and the positivity they have shown toward the project,” she said.

“So many people have been happy to engage with us. We have heard some amazing stories and some heart-wrenching ones.”

According to CEO of CMHA, Bill Gye, the initiative also aims to find out where gaps in mental health services may lie and how improvements can be made across all levels of government.

“The ACDC Project aims to address a serious problem with mental health services in Australia,” he said. “Often, people only look for or receive support when they are in crisis.

“We must be much more proactive connecting and communicating with people about the importance of wellbeing.

“Prevention and early intervention are far more effective than dealing with people in crisis.”