FREE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR MACEDON RANGES LOCALS

The Allan Labor Government is making it easier for people in the Macedon Ranges to get free mental health care closer to home.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today opened the new Mount Alexander Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Kyneton.

It’s one of three sites that will service the Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and Macedon Ranges Local Government Areas. The service provides free support and treatment for adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress. Accessing the service is simple – you don’t need a GP referral or Medicare card.

It is run by a multidisciplinary team of experienced community mental health practitioners, social workers, and peer support workers. Staff deliver care through flexible appointment options, including face-to-face, via telehealth, or through outreach.

The service is led by Mind Australia, in partnership with Bendigo Health and Thorne Harbour Health. The service is located at 47-49 High Street, Kyneton and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The Castlemaine site opened recently, co-located with Dhelkaya Health. The Mount Alexander Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is part of a statewide network of 22 Locals across 24 locations.

Locals act as a ‘front door’ to the mental health system and have already helped more than 43,000 Victorians.

The establishment of the Locals is a direct response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and is one of the Labor Government’s flagship mental health reform initiatives.

More information and contact details are available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:

“We’re making it easier for people across the Macedon Ranges to get free, community-based mental health care close to home.”

“This service is delivering important care without making people jump through hoops like getting a GP referral.”

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