More info out on new mental health service

DETAILS on the services at a planned new mental health and wellbeing hub soon to open in the region have become available. 

To be known as the Greater Bendigo-Loddon-Campaspe Local and run by Mind Australia, the organisation’s executive director of Victorian operations Belinda McCullough said the hub will connect people seeking mental health support with professionals. 

That could include mental health clinicians, alcohol and drugs treatment, doctors, psychiatrists, allied health professionals, and peer practitioners. 

“We call the mental health and wellbeing Locals a ‘how can we help’ or ‘no wrong door’ service where people can be connected with the services and support they need,” Ms McCullough said. 

“Navigating the mental health system will be easier, with Local services acting as an easy entry point to the system and removing the barrier of needing to meet certain eligibility criteria.  

“Mind and the consortia partners including Bendigo Health, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Echuca Regional Health, The Salvation Army, and Thorne Harbour Health, will all be working together to provide the range of different services that people need. 

“Local services will provide care-planning and care co-ordination, which includes warm referrals to other existing services.    

“Support will be free of charge and provided without the need for a GP referral, removing the barriers that too many people face when they need support.” 

A Mind Australia spokesperson said there was not timeframe on when the Local will open in the Bendigo area, and the State Government will announce that in the future. 

The local will not provide services for those under 26, with headspace offering mental health services for people between 12 and 25.