Ash Bolt
Mental health support provider Neami has been chosen to run the first Commonwealth-funded adult mental health centre in Geelong’s northern suburbs.
Western Victoria Primary Healthy Network (WVPHN) chief executive Rowena Clift said the new centre, which would operate under the name of Head to Health, would be a significant addition to Geelong’s mental health support sector.
“The centre will provide an entry point for adults and their families to access information and services for supporting their psychological, physical, social and emotional health and well-being,” Ms Clift said.
“It will also offer a central point for connecting and referring people to other local services to ensure support is tailored to individual needs.
“I am delighted that WVPHN has been able to appoint Neami to deliver the new Head to Health service that I am sure will become a model for other mental support services throughout Victoria.”
The centre will be one of eight adult mental health centres in Australia funded by the Commonwealth government.
The $114.5 million funding commitment was one of the government’s 2019 election promises.
Ms Clift said the model for the adult mental health centres was developed by a national expert advisory group, while WVPHN worked with the local community to refine the design to meet specific local needs.
Health minister Greg Hunt said addressing mental health was particularly important as the country recovers from the pandemic.
“We know that the pandemic and the measures taken to contain it have had a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many Australians,” he said.
“This is why the government continues to make mental health support national priority.
“The Head to Health centre in Geelong will be among the first in a network of community mental health centres that will ensure that all Australians have access to high quality, person-centered care.
“I’m delighted that this service will be open soon for the people of Geelong and will help support and guide the creation of new services across the country.”
Neami national chief executive Tom Dalton said he was excited to be working with the PHN and with partners Drummond Street to deliver a new safe, welcoming and inclusive mental health support service for the Geelong community.
“Co-designed with people with a lived experience of recovery, carers and family, First Nations people, mental health professionals, support services and first-responders, we are ensuring that the service responds to and delivers what the community needs,” Mr Dalton said.
“Many of Geelong’s Head to Health staff will be in dedicated lived experience roles, providing unique and caring support from arrival to when someone is ready to leave.”
Neami is currently in the process of securing a suitable premises for the service.
The announcement came as the federal government announced it would provide WVPHN $1.7 million in funding over four years for a headspace satellite service in Corio.
Geelong-based senator Sarah Henderson said the investment in a dedicated headspace in Corio would be welcomed by many young people, parents and teachers.
“This dedicated headspace in Corio will be a major asset for young people living in Geelong’s north. During the past eighteen months, so many teenagers and young adults have struggled,” she said.
“Access to services to improve resilience, bolster mental health and increase connectivity, as life starts to return to normal, will be invaluable to so many young people.”
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (headtohealth.gov.au).
