Victoria

Mind Australia’s Partnership and Linkage Service offers one-on-one social support for people experiencing severe and diagnosable mental ill-health.  

Clients are supported through fortnightly meetings with a volunteer buddy, who listens and works to build confidence and capability.  

About PALS  

PALS pairs a volunteer with someone experiencing severe mental ill-health and social isolation to provide care, help get them engaged with the community and develop supportive social relationships.  

The service assists a client’s recovery journey by actively encouraging them to engage with their community through activities such as meet ups, exercise and sport, music or shopping.  

A PALS volunteer supports a client by actively listening, believing in them, and gently encouraging them to try new things, slowly working toward increasing confidence and capability. 

After an initial meeting between a client and their supporting PALS volunteer, and ensuring they are compatible, the pair will connect fortnightly.  

Psychosocial supports – like the kind provided by Mind Australia – help people with mental health and wellbeing issues manage daily activities, rebuild and maintain connections, engage with education and employment, and participate fully in the community. These are supports which help people take positive steps in their recovery journey. Find out more here. 

Who is PALS for?  

PALS is for people with psychosocial disability (mental health and wellbeing concerns) who live in metropolitan Melbourne.  

PALS can help you:  

• learn social skills 
• develop and maintain connection with family and friends 
• connect and participate in your community 
• improve your physical and mental health 
• overcome isolation 
• build capacity and learn life skills such as shopping, budgeting and daily planning. 

PALS is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. 

How do I register my interest for PALS? 

PALS is for people aged between 18 years and over.  

For information about PALS, contact us via Mind Connect or phone: 1300 286 463. 

Why choose Mind for PALS? 

Mind Australia supports people experiencing mental health and wellbeing concerns to find help, hope and purpose in their lives. We provide individualised, evidence-based and recovery focused support to more than 11,000 people experiencing mental health and wellbeing concerns in Australia every year.  

We have been providing mental health and wellbeing support to people, and their families, friends and carers, for more than 45 years. We understand that every individual’s journey to a life of meaning and purpose is unique, which is why our services are flexible and offer genuine choice and control.   

What do our PALS clients say?  

“I get more support from PALS volunteers then I get from support workers. I can relate to them better and I feel like they are better qualified to support my needs.” - Read Edith’s story here.