cohealth encourages people to seek community-based mental health support as Omicron takes its toll

With the impacts of the pandemic continuing, community health service, cohealth, is urging people to access community-based mental health services if they need support for new or pre-existing mental health issues. 

cohealth operates the newly established Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs in Brimbank, Melton, Moonee Valley and Melbourne, offering free, and accessible mental health support with a specific focus on the impacts of the pandemic. 

The new Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs are now operating across Victoria, making it easier for people to access free and immediate support for mental illness. 

The hubs are part of a $13.3 million Victorian Government commitment to provide Victorians with easier access to mental health support as they continue to navigate through the impacts of the pandemic.  

The Hubs are operated in partnership with community health providers, which in Brimbank, Melton, Moonee Valley and Melbourne is cohealth 

The 23 new Hubs  – including the ones in Sunshine, Kensington and Melton West  – are helping to relieve the growing pressure on emergency departments, specialist and general practice services – and making seeking mental health support more accessible to anyone who might need it. 

With 13 services in Melbourne and 10 in regional Victoria, the Hubs act as a local ‘front door’ to a wide range of supports for psychological distress or mental health concerns like lowered mood, anxiety, substance use or addiction, financial difficulties, homelessness or housing stress, and loneliness or social isolation.  

Support workers are on hand at every Hub to assess Victorians’ needs, help them develop strategies to cope – and if people’s concerns require more intensive support, they will provide direct links and pathways to other health and social support services. 

To ensure people can access a Hub, no matter where they live, support is provided through a mix of face-to-face, telehealth, mobile outreach and online settings.  

People can access the new cohealth Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs via 1300 375 330 or the Partners in Wellbeing website (partnersinwellbeing.org.au).  

The 1300 number operates 9am – 10pm weekdays and 9am – 5pm weekends.  

People can also access the hubs via walk-in appointments at the following locations and times:   

• Kensington – 12 Gower Street, Kensington (Mon 10am – 4pm; Tues 10am – 4pm)  
• Sunshine – 9 / 2 Devonshire Rd, Sunshine (Wed 10am – 4pm; Thurs 10am – 4pm)  
• Melton – 195 – 209 Barries Rd,  Melton West (Mon 10am – 4pm; Tues 10am – 1pm). 

Quotes attributable to Chris Turner, Acting Chief Executive, cohealth 

 “We have a long history of supporting the health of people in Brimbank, Melton, Moonee Valley and Melbourne, so we know just how much the community has been impacted by COVID. It’s fantastic to be able to offer even greater support for people’s mental health in these areas.” 

“The uncertainty of a pandemic can take its toll, exacerbating pre-existing mental health conditions, and triggering episodes in people with no history of mental ill-health.” 

“Investing in community-based mental health services helps our health system work more efficiently. We can reduce the burden on hospitals and ambulances by giving people the support they need before their problems overwhelm them.”  

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health, James Merlino  

“These new Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs provide a free and accessible front door for people to access our mental health and wellbeing system, with the support they need at the times they need it most.”  

“We’re responding urgently to what Victorians need right now in line with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, with extra support for families, friends and carers of people who are experiencing mental health concerns.”  

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More on cohealth: 

cohealth is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit community health organisation that strives to improve health and wellbeing for all.  cohealth provides universal access to services as well as targeted programs and assertive models to address the health disparities experienced by disadvantaged groups. cohealth offers a broad range of high quality, integrated health and support services, including medical, oral, pharmacy, mental health and drug and alcohol services. 

More information: media@cohealth.org.au or 0499 101 638