Sarah Oliver
A new mental health and wellbeing hub has been running successfully in Melton for the last three weeks.
Supported by the Victorian government, Melbourne-based organisation cohealth has established 20 sites across the state, including Melton, Brimbank, Moonee Valley and Melbourne.
The hubs are helping to respond to a range of issues in the community that have risen during the pandemic, including mental health, social and wellbeing needs.
cohealth mental health wellbeing coach, Hedley Duhau, has been working in the mental health arm of the organisation for 17 years, 15 of which were focused in Melton.
“I know the community in the west well,” he said.
“It’s great to be part of this new program that is responding to the impacts of the pandemic.”
The program is already seeing referrals from a range of people and backgrounds, including people who have never sought help for their mental health.
Others who have found the pandemic to be particularly difficult and exacerbated existing conditions are also getting in touch, with the pandemic having “triggered feelings of anxiety, fear and sadness,” Mr Duhau said.
“People have been affected by the pandemic in all sorts of ways,” he said.
The hubs are flexible, offering face-to-face sessions onsite, as well as home visits or meet-ups in a café or park. They also offer phone and telehealth appointments.
Once a rapport is established over a few sessions, the mental health coaches can start to understand what the person’s needs are and offer referrals to other specialist services.
Mr Duhau said: “It could be one session, it could be 10 sessions. Our job is to help them get to where they want to be”.
The program also offers support from peer workers with lived experience of mental ill health in addition to sessions with coaches.
Mr Duhau’s advice for anyone who’s mental health has been impacted by the pandemic is to “ask for help, don’t suffer alone”.
“If those feelings are continuing over time, if they’re interrupting your daily functioning such as work, relationships and social engagements, then it’s important that you reach out for support,” he said.
“The Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs are a good starting place.”
The hubs are located in areas accessible for those who don’t drive or “struggle to navigate long distances via public transport,” Mr Duhau said.
The Melton hub is located at 195 – 209 Barries Road, Melton West and is open Mondays 10am till 4pm and Tuesdays 10am till 1pm.
Details: www.partnersinwellbeing.org.au/
