Melton has been named in a list of 21 suburbs that will receive a specialised mental health centre, as the state government seeks to act on the recommendations laid out in the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
The Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services centre will form part of a new model across the, where individuals can seek care closer to home.
The state government has labelled these new centres, which will be rolled out in metropolitan, outer-suburban and regional centres, as ‘front door’ services, where adults can access early intervention support.
According to data collected by the Northern Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) in 2021, Melton more than 20 per cent of surveyed individuals from Melton experienced high ro very high levels of psychological stress in the 12 months prior to the survey.
“The north western Melbourne region contains some of Victoria’s most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, where many indicators that are related to poorer mental health, such as high unemployment, high levels of social isolation and psychological distress, are elevated,” the study read.
Earlier VicHealth data, recorded in 2015, indicated that Melton residents had “significantly lower” wellbeing indicators compared with the Victorian average.
Released in March 2021, the Royal Commission report detailed a 10-year plan for establishing a more robust system of wellbeing support for areas such as Melton.
Included in this development has been the expansion of Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement Services and the introudction of a Mental Health Levy.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the state government intends to add 60 local service centres across Victoria by 2026.
“The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System was a watershed moment in our state’s history – and we’re not wasting a single moment delivering its recommendations,” Mr Andrews said.
