Mental health carer and family support available

Services for people caring for others with mental ill health and substance use challenges are now available for the first time in south-east metro Melbourne.

The South East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre is now open. Currently located in South Melbourne, the main centre will be moving to Dandenong in 2024. Additional service locations across the region will also become available.

The Centre is staffed by Carer Peer Workers, who have a lived or living experience as a family member or carer. Their lived experience means they can listen to, relate, understand and support people who want or need it. The Centre has been codesigned by people with lived or living experience.

Berry Street Take Two is overseeing the therapeutic services within the Connect Centre, which is being run by Better Health Network in partnership with VACCA.

The Centre is a free service for families, carers and supporters of people with mental ill health and substance use challenges who live in the region. No referral or appointment is needed.

The service is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, responsive and supportive space. Services are available in person, through outreach and telehealth.

The Therapeutic Team will assist carers to make sense of their own experience of the impacts on their lives. We’re using a family therapy approach with a strong focus on trauma therapy and consultation. It is a collaborative and unique program, and our service will evolve as we are led by what carers identify they need.

Previously referred to as the Family Carer-led Centres, this new service was recommended by the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health which identified the need for carers to have their own services and space to access information and peer support.

There are currently more than 60,000 Victorians providing mental health care to loved ones, often going unpaid and without support.

The South East Metro region covers 17 local government areas of Boroondara, Bayside, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Mornington Peninsula, Monash, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres are available statewide for all Victorians. If you are not in south-eastern Melbourne, you can find your local Connect Centre.