North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect
Free for family, carers and supporters.
It’s official – the North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect is open
On Wednesday 6 September, the Minister for Mental Health, the Honourable Gabrielle Williams, visited our North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect service and toured the new Ivanhoe hub. Minister Williams was joined by key staff from Access Health and Community, healthAbility, Inspiro and SHARC (Self Help Addiction Resource Centre) to announce the official opening of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect services across Victoria.
The establishment of the North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect service, as one of eight Connect services across Victoria, was one of the key recommendations in the Victorian Mental Health Royal Commission.
The North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect service currently has a main hub site in Ivanhoe and two satellite sites in Lilydale and Ashburton. We will be opening more satellite sites in the coming months across the North East Metro region.
Our services include:
- individual and group-based peer support
- family counselling (from October 2023)
- information, resources and practical support
- practical and financial assistance
- education sessions and group programs (from October 2023).
The hub in Ivanhoe includes:
- consulting rooms
- a purpose-built kitchen and lounge space
- a library and resource centre
- an outdoor balcony
- a children’s area
- a ‘quiet’ room.
No appointment is needed and families can drop in any time.
Call us on 8850 4150 to book an appointment.
The hub is now open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Evening and weekend hours will be added in the coming months.
About the Connect Service
The North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centre is a warm and welcoming space for family, carers, and supporters of people living with mental health or substance use concerns.
It is a space for families to drop in and connect with each other and or our Family Peer Workers who have their own lived experience of caring for a family member with mental health or substance use concerns.
Our services are provided in a range of ways to ensure they are accessible. We provide services in person at the hub and satellite sites, over the phone and via telehealth. You can drop in or call us to book an appointment. We also have resources and information available via the First Stop website.
Ivanhoe Hub
Opening from Monday 4 September
No referral or appointment is needed, you can just drop in when it suits you.
Location
Suite 3/50 Upper Heidelberg Road
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Contact
(03) 8850 4150
Come to a drop-in session
Drop-in sessions provide family members, carers, friends and supporters with access to information, peer support, and the opportunity to relax and have a cup of tea.
No referral or appointment is needed, you can just drop in when it suits you.
Ashburton
Where: Ashburton Camcare
Address: 4 Y Street, Ashburton
When: Wednesdays 12pm-2pm
Lilydale
Where: Yarra Ranges Youth Space
Address: 5/9 Clarke St, Lilydale 3140
When: Mondays 10am-12pm
Eltham
Where: Eltham healthAbility
Address: 917 Main Road, Eltham
When: Fridays 10am-12:30pm
More satellite sites will be added in the coming months.
Contact us
Learn more
Where can I find out about employment opportunities?
Visit the AccessHC Careers page or join the mailing list to stay up to date about employment opportunities.
What is the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Healthcare System?
The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Healthcare System highlighted the enormous contribution made by family members, carers, friends and supporters of people living with mental health concerns; both to the people they support and for the functioning of the mental health system.
The establishment of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres, recommendation 31 of the report, aims to ensure better system-wide involvement of family members, carers, friends and supporters. One way this will be achieved is through the development of eight Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres across Victoria.
Who is operating the Centre?
AccessHC, along with partners Self Help Addiction Recovery Centre (SHARC), healthAbility, and Inspiro are leading the establishment of the centre in the North East Metro region.
Across the state, the organisations responsible for rolling out each of the eight centres are working closely together, along with Tandem and the Lived Experience Branch of the Department of Health, to develop fantastic programs, tailored to support the needs of families and carers in our communities.
For further information contact FCLC@accesshc.org.au
Where can I sign up to learn more?
Join the mailing list to learn about:
- employment or volunteering positions
- opportunities to be part of a reference group
- services for family and carers.
Contact us
Call (03) 8850 4150 to learn more about North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect.