Oliver Lees
The state government has committed to delivering localised support across Victoria, with new pop-up mental health centres soon to be accessible to Hume and Macedon Ranges residents.
In a bid to reduce dependency on emergency services, an investment of $13.3 million will be made to provide 20 pop-up community mental health service centres, employing a 90 clinicians.
Hume residents will be able to access a pop-up clinic managed by Melbourne Health with Mind Australia serving as the community health provider. And individuals in the Macedon Ranges can seek support at a clinic at Bendigo Health also managed by Mind Australia.
A further $4 million dollars will be funnelled into supporting Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a dedicated avenue to improve their wellbeing.
Minister for Mental Health James Merlino said the pop-up clinics will deliver the support many need closer to home.
“We’re not wasting a moment delivering the huge reforms the Royal Commission recommended for our state’s mental health services – but we know the pandemic has increased immediate demand, so we’re investing to make sure more Victorians have access to the support they need right now,” Mr Merlino said.
The state government committed to more than a $300 million investment in child and youth mental health services in their 2021-22 budget as a result of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
