The Allan Labor Government is on track to deliver another nine Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across Victoria, including in Dandenong, ensuring more people have access to walk-in mental health care and support, without the need for a GP referral.

Following the opening of the first six sites in 2022, Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced the providers selected to deliver these critical services for people aged 26 years and over, living with mental health or co-occurring alcohol and other drug concerns.

Acting as a ‘front door’ to the mental health system and staffed by qualified mental health professionals, the Locals can be found in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Selected for their experience and expansive sector knowledge, the providers for the Dandenong site is Mind Australia, in partnership with Monash Health, The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. and Thorne Harbour Health.

Support is delivered in-person, telehealth, and via outreach services and a care plan is then designed to match patient goals and preferences – family, carers and supporters can also be involved pending patient permission.

A flagship reform following the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the Labor Government will deliver 50 Local Services across Victoria by the end of 2026.

In the most recent Victorian Budget 2023/24, $67 million was invested to establish another three Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across the state, with an additional $10 million to plan for another 20 locations.

Since the Royal Commission handed down its final report, significant progress has been made with work underway to implement more than 90 per cent of recommendations and more than $6 billion invested in the system over the past three years – the largest investment in mental health in Victoria’s history.

Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams

“It’s great to know that mental health care for people in Dandenong will soon be available in our own backyard. Community-focused mental health care means residents can access life-changing services right here, right now.”

“A community-based mental health service in Dandenong is going to be a welcome addition – it will ensure locals can access support closer to home, while also linking them to other vital services they may need to live their best life.”