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People in Bendigo, Echuca and Dandenong will soon be able to access wellbeing support by appointment at their Mental Health and Wellbeing Local centre, with Melton to follow.

Mind Australia has signed leases on spaces in Bendigo, Echuca and Dandenong and is hoping to sign a lease on a Melton site shortly. These Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, which will open for consultations via appointment in the coming weeks, will be located at:

  • Bendigo – 22/165-171 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo
  • Echuca – 222 Ogilvie Street, Echuca
  • Dandenong – 29b Langhorne Street, Dandenong

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals support Victorians aged 26 years and over to get mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support closer to home.

Mind General Manager – Locals Establishment John Bamborough said once these sites are open people in these communities will be able to access support on site via appointment, and a bit further down the track will also be able to walk in on select days and get a consultation without making an appointment. Recovery-focused and educational group activities will commence on-site over the coming weeks.

“We are very excited that people will soon be able to just walk in off the street and have a chat with us and get support there and then,” Mr Bamborough said.

Mind staff and our partner organisations have been providing support to people in these regions for several months via telehealth and limited outreach. 

We are very excited that people will soon be able to just walk in off the street and have a chat with us and get support there and then
- John Bamborough, General Manager, Mind Australia

“That has been great for people who aren’t in town or who are more comfortable talking to someone over the phone or online, but it is going to be great for people to have the option of being able to talk to someone face to face,” Mr Bamborough said.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals focus on listening and understanding your concerns so they can work with you and, if you are comfortable, your family, carers and supporters, to design a care plan that meets your goals and preferences. This may involve connecting you to other health and social services if you need them.

All support is free, voluntary and easy to access, and you do not need a referral from your doctor to access help. The most important thing is that Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are safe spaces for everyone.

Alongside Mind’s person-centred support services, people can access support from key regional health organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations and a variety of other targeted support organisations including LGBTIQA+ support across all regions from Thorne Harbour Health.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals contact details

People seeking support can phone their Mental Health and Wellbeing Local during business hours or email to make an appointment for face to face outreach support.

People can also call 1800 332 501 to be connected with support in these areas.

People in other parts of Victoria can call 1300 375 330 or visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mhwlocal to be connected to their Local Service or Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub for support.

If you need help in your language, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter, then ask to be connected to Local Service on 1300 375 330.

Local services are not crisis services. In an emergency which is life-threatening or where is immediate risk of harm to anyone, call Triple Zero (000). For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can also call 13 YARN on 13 92 76. 13 YARN is a 24/7 national crisis support telephone service staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.