A new children’s mental health centre has officially opened in Sunshine, one of three new hubs that will provide free mental health support to kids in Victoria.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt and Federal Assistant Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Minister Emma McBride opened the three new Children’s Health and Wellbeing Locals on December 8, forming part of the national network of Head to Health Kids services being delivered across Australia.
The three new services are located in Sunshine, Bendigo and Cranbourne and will provide specialist support for children aged 0-11 years and their families, free of charge and with no referral required.
The Sunshine Local is operated by IPC Health, while the Bendigo service is led by Bendigo Community Health and the Cranbourne service by Monash Health.
It is estimated that approximately 400 children and their families will utilise each of the three services each year as the services scale up.
Support includes specialist medical and allied health services for children who are experiencing developmental, behavioural and emotional challenges, including paediatricians, psychologists, and speech pathologists all under one roof.
Mental Health Minster Ingrid Stitt said for too long families have struggled to access age-appropriate mental health and wellbeing services.
“These new Locals will ensure more children are given the support they need to help them thrive,” she said.
Focused on strengthening support for parents, the Locals will also deliver family services, group parenting programs and culturally safe wrap around services.
The new hubs address some of the key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The Locals respond to the need for a renewed focus on early intervention and age-appropriate care to meet development and mental health challenges in younger children.
Designed in consultation with local communities, people with lived experience as well as local service providers, including Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations, the service offerings are tailored to local needs and build on existing services and capacity.
