By Olivia Condous
Residents from across the north western suburbs of Melbourne, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, will have access to extra help for complex mental health issues through a new free guided support service.
The North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) has partnered with national mental health provider SANE to provide tailored assistance for people with issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The new guided program from SANE combines digital and telehealth support and allows users to create a personalised support plan with mental health professionals.
Participants will also receive one-on-one assistance from a peer support worker, access to forums, activities and more, to help them learn how to manage their mental health.
The guided program will provide ongoing assistance with regular check-ins from a support team.
People who live in the north western Melbourne region, are over eighteen years of age and are affected by a complex mental health issue will be eligible for the support.
SANE is a registered service provider of the federal government mental health service Head to Health.
NWMPHN service development and reform executive director Jag Dhaliwal said the partnership with SANE would mean there were now stronger supports in place to make sure people received the care they needed.
“People with complex mental health issues can sometimes find it challenging to find and access the support they need to assist in their recovery,” he said.
SANE chief executive Rachel Green said the free service would provide people in the area with critical support to people currently on waiting lists for clinical services.
“We know thousands need a support service that is more than a one-off counselling session, people need a service that provides continuity and connects them to others who can help make sense of what they’re going through and support them through tough times,” she said.
Details: www.sane.org/referral
