10 March 2023
Mind Australia will lead a partnership of health care agencies to deliver much needed mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services to the Great South Coast region in Victoria.
Mind, Brophy Family and Youth Services, Western Regional Alcohol and Drug Centre, Portland District Health and genU have been chosen by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network to deliver the new Regional Care Partnerships for Mental Health and AOD program that will commence in July 2023.
This new program will provide the following services:
psychological therapy
care coordination
low-intensity mental health support
brief intervention support for young people
alcohol and other drug services.
Mind CEO Gill Callister said offering these services under the single support umbrella would allow for a smoother experience and improved outcomes for participants.
“The Regional Care Partnership for Mental Health and AOD is a ground-breaking service model that will provide tailored support through an integrated suite of mental health and alcohol and other drug services,” Ms Callister said.
“People experiencing co-occurring mental health and wellbeing challenges as well as addiction will be able to access holistic wrap around support in one place, so that they can get the help they need to recover, stay well and to live fulfilling and independent lives in the community.”
“Mind is proud to be the lead agency in this consortium and will work closely with Western Regional Drug and Alcohol centre, Portland District Health, genU, and Brophy Family and Youth Services to provide these much-needed support services to communities in south-west Victoria.”
Western Victoria Primary Health Network CEO Rowena Clift said the partnership will have the task of delivering mental health and AOD services that target the individual needs of health care clients who were seeking a holistic approach to their health support.
“The Regional Care Partnerships model is about care and coordination. Each client will be supported by a team of health care providers with specialist skills and knowledge to lead them through the journey to better health,” Ms Clift said.
“Together, the aligned health care agencies will guide clients toward the support that is best suited to their needs no matter where they live in the region. Importantly, this includes ensuring services are sensitive to cultural needs.”
“This new approach will establish more effective local health networks, consistent with recommendations from the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health to improve the accessibility and delivery of mental health support services.”
To learn more about Mind Australia support services near you contact Mind Connect on 1300 286 463.
If this article raises concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders can also call 13 YARN (13 92 76) a 24/7 national crisis support telephone service staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.