Mental Health & Wellbeing Local – Victoria

What are Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals?

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals provide treatment, care and support for people aged 26 years and over. The Locals are free, voluntary and easy to access, with no referral or Medicare card required. Care will be provided for people who need more support than a general practitioner (GP) or private mental health practitioner can offer, but who do not need higher-intensity services, such as hospital-based support services.

About the service

Areas of service

Eligibility and Accessing the service

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals offer one-on-one support, group support and advice through listening and helping you explore the services and support right for you and your situation. Support is confidential and we will work with you to find the help you need.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals offer:

* Treatment and therapies

* Person-centered wellbeing supports

* Education, peer support and self-help

* Care planning and coordination with various service providers

* Person-centered wellbeing supports including

* Peer Worker Education, peer support and self-help

* Participant-led care planning and coordination with other service providers

* Additional Mental health supports and resources

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are respectful of, and responsive to, cultural needs and diversity. All visitors will receive fair access and culturally safe and responsive services that are free of stigma and discrimination.

Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield MH&WB Local Phone: 1800 000 842
* Benalla: Shop 5B, 66 Nunn St, Benalla VIC 3672
* Wangaratta: 5 Victoria Parade, Wangaratta VIC 3677
* Mansfield: 31 Highett St, Mansfield VIC 3722

Shepparton, Strathbogie, Moira MH&WB Local Phone: 1300 375 330
* Shepparton: 151-155 Maude Street, Shepparton VIC 3630

MH&WB Locals are available to anyone aged 26 years or older who may be:
* experiencing psychological distress, mental health challenges or alcohol and other drug concerns.
* who may need further support additional to what their usual doctor can offer and who does not need hospital services.
* may need psychosocial support by our peer workforce

Your Peer Worker

You will talk to a peer worker who will focus on listening and understanding your concerns, working with you to design a care plan that meets your goals and preferences, and offer the right support. You may receive tips and resources to help you be more aware of your mental health and hopefully provide you with some useful strategies to add into your daily life.

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Staying Connected

Changes in our personal circumstances and lifestyle can result in us feeling less connected to others and increase the risk of us feeling isolated. This is why staying connected matters! Fostering strong healthy ties with family, friends, colleagues and those in our community can make us feel more secure, confident, happy, and give us a greater sense of purpose. Being connected to others can also be a protective factor for someone struggling with anxiety, depression or just having a hard time of things. Connecting with animals, nature, or your spiritual beliefs or culture can also be a source of comforting and meaning when your facing challenges in your life. Whether confiding in a friend, helping a family member or speaking to someone anonymously in a support group, think about what or who helps you stay connected and grounded.

Improving Diet and Exercise

Choosing food and activity for good health is a great way to:

Feel better mentally – This can include mood, concentration, information retention, and overall performance.
Reduce physical health problems that can arise from poor diet or low activity (due to low energy).
Get help sooner – The healthier you are the more likely you are to identify problems in your health before they become debilitating. The earlier any physically or mental illness is identified, the easier it usually is to improve or treat.
Take control of your life and routine so you can spend more time and energy on the things you enjoy!

Eating for your health is not just about avoiding unhealthy food groups, its also about the way we consume food and the habits we form. You can complete the ‘Are you eating for health?’ quiz in the Australian Dietary Guidelines Summary to find out where you sit. Similarly to the right of this section, there are a number of online calculators for nutrition that can guide you.

Planning Enjoyment at Home

Do you plan your time at home or does it feel like there’s not enough time in a day? Do you find yourself not actively engaging in activities after work because you just want to relax? Planning enjoyment at home can lift our mood, provide us with routine, help us plan, feel prepared, and overall more productive in our daily lives. It’s not about scheduling every part of a day, it’s about keeping things simple. Stop and think for a minute… What puts a smile on your face? What reduces your stress? If you are not sure where to start, keep it simple and try different activities until you find one that sticks: Cook something new Touch base with a friend Make, dance or listen to music

Reducing Sleep Disturbance

Sleep disturbance commonly involves difficulty getting to sleep with or without early morning wakening (usually around 3am) followed by a restless night thereafter. To restore a pattern of normal sleep, it is important to practice sleep-promoting behaviours during the day, evening, at bedtime and during the night. Remember that adults are no different to children, we also need wind-down routines. Consider how you put your ‘inner child’ to bed. Are your habits and actions sleep promoting or disruptive behaviour? If you’re experiencing sleep disturbance, it may be worth considering looking at your routine and trying to implement strategies such as meditation.