The Oromia community in Dandenong will receive more support to improve their mental health, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s Mental Health CALD grants program.

To coincide with Mental Health Week, Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, today announced Advocacy for Oromia Association in Victoria Australia will receive a $70,000 grant for their Mental Health Education Program.

The community-led project will address the rising number of mental health issues in the Oromia community resulting from their experiences as refugees.

The project will deliver training, information sessions, and a community forum to facilitate conversations within the community about mental health issues and prevention.  There will be a number of options for engagement through a range of communication mediums including video, radio and brochures tailored to different audiences within the Oromia community.

The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council and Tandem, representing Victorian mental health carers, are co-ordinating the grants program.

A total of 13 grants have been allocated across Victoria ranging from $5,000 to $80,000. The grants aim to support culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, poor mental health. Funding will build wider community supports and also provide support to families and carers.

The Labor Government has invested a record $325.7 million in mental health services in the Victorian Budget 2017/18, recognising that 45 per cent of all Victorians will experience mental illness in their lifetime.

This investment further supports the Government’s 10-year Mental Health Plan, which focuses on greater efforts in prevention and providing better services and support for the most vulnerable people in the community.

Mental Health Week runs from 8 – 14 October and involves hundreds of events organised by individuals, community groups and service providers throughout the state.  For more information on Mental Health Week, visit mentalhealthvic.org.au. For a full list of Mental Health grant recipients, visit www.health.vic.gov.au