- Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is a new service dedicated to those who are supporting people living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres aim to provide families, carers and supporters of all ages with the vital networks they need to keep caring for their loved one while still looking after their own wellbeing.
- Support is free, and no referral is needed to access a Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centre. They can be accessed in-person without an appointment or via phone or online booking.
On this page
About Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is dedicated to those who are supporting people living with mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress.
Support is free of charge, and you don’t need a referral from your doctor or health professional.
Led by people with lived experience of supporting someone with mental health challenges, Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres recognise families, carers and supporters as individuals with their own wellbeing needs.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres provide support and services to Victorians that are responsive and tailored to the needs of families, carers and supporters, including information, networks, resources and access to hardship funds.
Getting support
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres may be directly accessed in-person via walk-in (no appointment required), or via phone and online booking for tailored support.
Support from a Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centre is free, and you do not need a referral or Medicare card.
You can access support from any location across Victoria, it does not have to be the one closest to your home address.
Main centres have a wide range of support available, including:
- peer worker support
- psychological and wellbeing supports
- help navigating the mental health and wellbeing system
- access to hardship funds
- education and practical support.
Secondary centres provide a select range of supports, compared to those available at main centres.
Outreach support, where we come to a location that suits you, is also available in selected regions.
Call your chosen Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centre for more information.
Find your nearest service
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres open hours may vary between locations. Visit each provider’s website below for the latest information.
| Location | Contact details |
|---|---|
Bairnsdale (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. Traralgon (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. Wonthaggi (secondary centre) 108 Watt Street, Wonthaggi VIC 3995 Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. | Tel. 1300 000 717 |
Call for support | Tel. 1800 962 008 |
Wangaratta (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. Shepparton (secondary centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. Wodonga (secondary centre): Call for support. Outreach available. | Tel. 1800 572 129 |
Bendigo (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. Mildura (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. Swan Hill (secondary centre) Call for support. Outreach available. | Tel. 1800 979 730 |
Geelong (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. Warrnambool (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support. Outreach available. | Tel. 1300 000 717 |
Dandenong (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support South Melbourne (secondary centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support | Tel. (03) 9066 1500 |
Ivanhoe (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support Ashburton (secondary centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support Belgrave (secondary centre): 1616/1624 Burwood Hwy, Open for walk-ins or call for support Eltham (secondary centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support Lilydale (secondary centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support | Tel. (03) 8850 4150 Email: |
Sunshine (main centre): Open for walk-ins or call for support | Tel. 0429 564 269 |
Current Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect providers are:
- Gippsland: Wellways Australia (lead) with Satellite Foundation
- Grampians: Mind Australia (lead) with Grampians Community Health and Ballarat Community Health (partners)
- Hume: Gateway Health
- Loddon Mallee: Mind Australia (lead) with Mallee Family Care
- Barwon South West: Wellways Australia (lead) with Satellite Foundation
- Southeast (metro): Star Health (lead) with Berry Street and VACCA (partners)
- Northeast (metro): Access Health and Community (lead) with Self Help Addiction Recovery Centre (SHARC), healthAbility, and Inspiro (partners)
- Western (metro): Jesuit Social Services.
Other available services
Whether you would like to receive help for yourself in your caring role, or for your own mental health and wellbeing needs – you can still get the care, support and advice you need, when you need it from other mental health and wellbeing services.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are a free service for adults aged 26 and over. They provide treatment, care and support close to home.
Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals provide easy access to health and wellbeing support for children aged zero to 11 and their families and carers.
All support is free, and you don’t need a referral from your doctor or a Medicare card.
All services are family and carer inclusive and will provide education and support to families, carers and supporters of individuals experiencing mental illness and/or substance use concerns.
Crisis support
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is not a crisis service.
In an emergency which is life-threatening or where there is immediate risk of harm to anyone, call Triple Zero (000). For 24-hour crisis support, call on 13 11 14.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
