{"id":117637,"date":"2025-07-22T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/?p=117637"},"modified":"2025-07-16T15:44:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T05:44:31","slug":"improving-the-mental-health-of-geelong-locals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/living\/improving-the-mental-health-of-geelong-locals\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving the mental health of Geelong locals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The City of Greater Geelong is calling for community members to shine a light on the drivers of loneliness and isolation in the region.<\/p>\n

In response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the city is establishing a Social Inclusion Action Group to support connection, reduce exclusion and promote mental wellbeing in Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n

The group will be responsible for identifying local needs, reviewing existing initiatives and addressing gaps in social isolation.<\/p>\n

Members from the group will also decide how funding from the Social Inclusion Investment Fund will be spent and take ownership of activities and priorities.<\/p>\n

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said Geelong’s Social Inclusion Action Group was about building a stronger and more connected community.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately, 25 per cent of our community reported feeling lonely in our Geelong Preventative Health Survey, with much higher levels for people with disability, young people, LGBTIQA+ individuals and single parents.<\/p>\n

“We need people of all backgrounds to use their insights and experiences to help address the needs of those who may be more likely to experience social exclusion or isolation.<\/p>\n

“If you, or someone you know, wants to make lasting and meaningful change, please consider applying.”<\/p>\n

The city is seeking members for the group who reflect Geelong’s diversity, including people with lived or living ill mental health experiences, addiction, social exclusion, isolation or discrimination.<\/p>\n

Membership for people from backgrounds at a greater risk of experiencing loneliness and social isolation will also be prioritised.<\/p>\n

People who join the group will be reimbursed for their participation and can receive support with accessibility, childcare and transport to meetings.<\/p>\n

Cr Rowan Story said members needed to commit to at least a year in the group.<\/p>\n

“Members of the Geelong Social Inclusion Action Group will receive training and development opportunities, while having their say on community projects that increase inclusion and connection.<\/p>\n

“We want to help facilitate local solutions for our local community, who face different challenges and issues than residents in Melbourne or other regional areas.<\/p>\n

Expressions of interest need to be submitted before July 31 via yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au\/EOI-SIAG<\/a> or by attending in-person meet and greets throughout this month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The City of Greater Geelong is calling for community members to shine a light on the drivers of loneliness and isolation in the region. In response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the city is establishing a Social Inclusion Action Group to support connection, reduce exclusion and promote mental wellbeing in Greater […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":220,"featured_media":117638,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-117637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-living"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nImproving the mental health of Geelong locals - Geelong Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Geelong mental health support boosted by a new Social Inclusion Action Group tackling loneliness, isolation, and community wellbeing.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/living\/improving-the-mental-health-of-geelong-locals\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Improving the mental health of Geelong locals - 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