Boost to local mental health workforce

The state government is continuing to expand Victoria’s mental health workforce to meet growing demand and deliver on the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System vision of a system where every Victorian has access to the care they need. Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt announced the second round of roles through the Graduate and Early Career Program – supporting a strong pipeline of new workers to deliver the care Victorians need, close to home. These workers will be placed in Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across Victoria, including Wangaratta – helping more Victorians get free mental health support close to home without needing a GP referral or Medicare card. Cat Hunt, general manager of Wellways-led Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield, said they are excited to welcome two new lived experience roles and two additional mental health nursing roles, commencing in February next year. "These new roles will support our goal of building the future workforce across Benalla, Wangaratta, and Mansfield communities," she said. "These new roles will enable us to continue supporting people in our community who are experiencing mental health concerns. "Peer Navigators play a vital role as the first point of connection, drawing on their own lived experience to offer empathy, understanding, and guidance. "The two additional mental health nursing roles will support the transition of nurses into mental health careers, and enable us to continue our comprehensive assessments, care planning, and ongoing support for people on their mental health recovery journey." Established by the Labor Government and acting as a 'front door' to the mental health system, the Locals offer free support and treatment for Victorians experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including co-occurring substance use or addiction. Wangaratta's Wellways-led Mental Health and Wellbeing Local opened in June this year on Reid Street. Support is delivered in-person, via telehealth and via outreach services with a care plan designed to reflect a person’s goals and preferences – family, carers and supporters can also be involved. This new intake will establish 66 mental health roles across the community for graduates including: • positions in allied health, psychology, and postgraduate nursing; • lived and living experience positions; • wellbeing support roles; • as well as clinical educators and supervisors to support and guide graduates. It follows the first intake which commenced in February and saw 27 roles established at Locals in Greater Geelong and Queenscliff, Bendigo and Echuca, Whittlesea, Frankston and Latrobe. Together, the first two intakes of the program mark a major milestone – with every Mental Health and Wellbeing Local across Victoria now allocated early career roles, supported by dedicated supervisors and educators to strengthen care and support across the state. The Labor Government has invested more than $6 billion in the mental health system since the Royal Commission report was handed down and increased the mental health workforce by 25 per cent between 2021 and 2024. Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said this program is backing the future of Victoria’s mental health system – giving passionate early career workers the hands-on experience, support and training they need to build long, rewarding careers supporting others. “Every Local across Victoria will have early career mental health workers on the ground – supported by experienced educators and supervisors – helping more Victorians get the care they need, closer to home," she said.

Boost to local mental health workforce

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