Ballarat Health Services announced the official opening of the Grampians Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) centre today.

Ballarat Health Services’ Pleasant Street South facility will provide short-term treatment and support in a 12-bed residential setting for people experiencing mental illness in the Ballarat and Grampians region.

The centre will provide early intervention support and clinical treatment for people who are unwell, or who are in the early stages of recovery from an acute illness and need a short period of extra support.

Ballarat Health Services CEO Dale Fraser said the new facility was a positive step for mental health services in the region.

“Grampians PARC will further improve Ballarat Health Services’ capacity to provide those with a mental illness with early intervention and recovery supports in a dedicated state-of-the-art facility,” Mr Fraser said. “These interventions will bridge the gap between community- and hospital-based care, with a service that’s safe and supportive for clients and staff.”

“Our aim is to keep patients connected to their support networks and the community while they receive treatment.”

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said “This new support will boost and improve Prevention and Recovery Care and will ease the pressure of our busy emergency department. We know that this 8.3million investment in mental health will be of great benefit to our region.”

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle added “One in five Australian adults experience a mental illness every year and we are now better prepared to support people going through difficult and traumatic times with this new 12 bed facility.”

The centre has six beds for short stays of up to 28 days, and a further six beds for clients who need a longer stay (three to six months) to receive clinical support and stabilisation, and psychosocial rehabilitation before returning home.

The Grampians PARC project was delivered by the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority in partnership with Ballarat Health Services, Bamford Architects and AW Nicholson Construction. It’s one of 20 PARC centres across Melbourne and regional Victoria, funded as part of the Victorian Government’s $325.7 million investment in mental health services.