By Matthew Sims
Metro Trains has provided support for a number of western Melbourne mental health support projects.
The public transport provider has funded a number of projects through their Back on Track Community Grants Program, including cohealth’s Supporting Healthy Minds program and Les Twentyman Foundation’s Confident Traveller program.
The Supporting Healthy Minds program would help co-ordinate a number of mental health education sessions for Horn of African communities to promote awareness of accessible support services.
cohealth community programs manager Bich-Hoa Ha said the project would continue to foster connections with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
“We’ll be targeting culturally and linguistically diverse communities who face more barriers to accessing mental health support due to language, literacy and discrimination.
“We have deep existing relationships with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Melbourne’s west, and many of our workers are from the communities that we serve.
“Keeping people well while they are in the community, rather than responding once they get sick, helps the health system work better by reducing reliance on hospitals and ambulance.”
Metro Trains chief executive Raymond O’Flaherty said the grants program was a chance for the public transport provider to give back to the community.
“The last few years have been incredibly hard for Melburnians,” he said.
The Confident Traveller program would support young people in feeling more confident in using public transport.
“Young Victorians have suffered some of the most significant impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, with our youth workers dealing daily with young people who are struggling to leave their home, let alone their suburb, and as we know isolation can create significant mental health issues,” he said.
“When it comes to mental health, little things can turn into big things, and thanks to the support of Metro Trains we will be breaking down fears and encouraging young Victorians to build their confidence to explore, to be curious and to one day take on the world.”
