By Mikayla van Loon
Looking to address the ‘missing middle’ in mental health support, Lilydale’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Local started providing telehealth care in December.
Lead for the Yarra Ranges service, Wellways Australia, said it hopes to see an uptake in the support it is offering this year once it becomes fully operational with its ‘open door’ location.
The Lilydale clinic was one of nine to be announced in October by the State Government as part of its response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Choosing the Yarra Ranges as a location was based on the high reported levels of psychological distress, sitting at 14 per cent.
During 2023, 25 per cent of the Yarra Ranges population sought support for a mental health-related problem.
“The current waitlists across all mental health services in the region demonstrate the high demand for improved accessibility and coordination of Mental Health Services through a no- wrong door approach where participants can make choices about the type of service they want to receive,” a Wellways statement said.
Lilydale provides a central location, with a transport hub, other essential services and is an employment base for many people.
“The new Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Lilydale will be a service that supports adults to obtain mental health and wellbeing treatment, care, and support closer to home.
“Support is free, and participants do not require a referral from their doctor or health professional.”
It can sometimes be that barrier that may prevent people over the age of 26 from seeking assistance.
“The ‘missing middle’ are people who need more support than they can get from their GP, but do not meet the high threshold for complex care services from a hospital,” the Wellways statement said.
While for the moment, people can only access support over the phone until a permanent clinic is established in town, participants will still be greeted by mental health workers to create a care plan based on their desired outcome or needs.
“The worker may ask. “How can we help?” and then focus on listening to and understanding the participant’s concerns.
“The worker will work with the participant, as well as their family, carers, and supporters, if the participant is comfortable with this, to design a care plan that meets the participant’s goals and preferences.”
Collaborating with local organisations like Eastern Health, Inspiro and Oonah, Wellways said goes a long way in being able to provide holistic support through trusted services.
“Our local partners are well-known service providers in the Yarra Ranges area who have earned the trust of the communities they serve.
“They have been delivering mental health services locally and understand local needs and have relationships and referral pathways with other services in the region that also provide help to people in the community.”
To contact the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local for support, call 1300 000 252. The service is available 9am to 5pm weekdays, as well as on weekday public holidays but is closed on weekends.
