The Andrews Labor Government today announced that a Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service will be established in Ballarat and its doors will be open from mid-2023.

This brand-new model of care will see people in our region get the mental health support they need, as soon as they need it, close to home. This new service will act as a ‘front door’ to the reformed mental health system, providing early intervention support for adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress without needing a referral from a GP, and before people need clinical hospital emergency department. It will help people access help in the community earlier, before they reach a crisis point.

One year after the historic delivery of the final report from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the Andrews Labor Government has made huge inroads into the landmark reform of the state’s mental health and wellbeing services, with work underway on more than 85 per cent of the 74 recommendations.

The Royal Commission’s 2021 report outlined a 10-year blueprint Victoria’s future mental health and wellbeing services, building a system where every Victorian gets the support they need close to home.

Progress has already been made on 65 of 74 recommendations, backed by the Labor Government’s record $3.8 billion investment in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 – the largest single investment in mental health in Australia’s history.

Already, this work has delivered almost 1,000 extra jobs in the mental health workforce.

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“The new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service for Ballarat will open from mid-2023, this will make sure our community gets the care they need, as soon as they need it, close to home.”

“It’s one year since the Royal Commission and we haven’t wasted a moment getting on and building the mental health system we need and deserve.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“The announcement that a new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service will be located in Ballarat is welcome news. As a “front door” to the mental health system, this service will provide a way for people to access help in the community earlier, before reaching a crisis point or needing to go to hospital.”

“This innovative and responsive new Mental Health Service will provide high quality treatment, care and support to our community.”