Mental health support centre opens this week

A SPECIALISED centre for mental health in northern Geelong started providing services on Monday this week after being officially opened last month.

Geelong’s Head to Health service has a new purpose-built home in Station Street, Norlane, providing a welcoming hub for adults experiencing mental health challenges to seek safe and inclusive advice and support.

The federal government-funded initiative includes mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, general practitioners and peer support workers who have a lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery.

Geelong Head to Health has been operating across northern Geelong since December 2021, providing services to adults over the phone and across multiple sites in the community until the new building was completed.

The new centre, commissioned by Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) and operated by Neami National in partnership with Drummond Street services, has been designed with the local community and with input from individuals with lived experience of mental ill health to complement existing mental health services in Geelong.

WVPHN chief executive officer Rowena Clift said the new Geelong Head to Health centre was a welcome physical addition to services in Geelong’s north.

“This unique service, being delivered by respected mental health service provider Neami National, enables people seeking mental health support to speak with Geelong-based peer support workers with a lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery alongside wellbeing and clinical staff.”

She said Geelong Head to Health could assist adults, including carers and family members, with a range of mental health assessments, treatments and supports.

It will also complement services such as headspace Geelong to ensure youth through to adults have access to mental health care.

Neami National chief executive officer Tom Dalton said Neami was the lead provider of several Head to Health facilities across Australia and was excited to see this innovative and new centre ready to open in Geelong.

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health Emma McBride opened Head to Health Geelong on Thursday last week.

“The Australian Government is funding Head to Health to ensure people can get the support they need, when they need it, without delays or out of pocket costs,” she said.

“Geelong Head to Health has demonstrated its value to the community through its outreach program and will continue this great work by providing a safe and welcoming place for people needing mental health support at its permanent site on Station Street.”

Geelong Head to Health is one of eight adult mental health centres being opened across Australia, as part of a $114.5 million in funding from the federal government.

The centre is open on weekdays between noon-9pm and on weekends and public holidays between 1-6pm.

To speak to a member of the Head to Health team, head to 1800 595 212.