People in the Shepparton region who are experiencing distress can now access support through the new Distress Support Service – Yurri Mulana.
This is a free service that offers early support for people 18 years and over who are feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or hopeless. It aims to help people address difficult circumstances in their lives and equip them with tools and skills to manage their challenges, without having to present to a mental health, general health or emergency service.
Distress Support Service is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments. Victoria’s two services (Shepparton and one in Darebin managed by ERMHA365) were launched by Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt, with federal MP Ged Kearney in September.
The Shepparton service’s Aboriginal name, Yurri Mulana, means ‘fresh spirit’ in Yorta Yorta.
The program offers two levels of support: Community Engagement Points and the Short Term Support Service.
Community Engagement Points
These are local community-based organisations and services whose staff are trained to recognise signs of distress and provide a kind, compassionate response.
If you are feeling distressed, you can let them know and they can assist you. They can connect you to the Short Term Support Service if you need more intensive support.
The current Community Engagement Point for people in Shepparton is Primary Care Connect. More Community Engagement Points will be announced at a later date.
Short Term Support Service
At the Short Term Support Service, you will receive practical support from a qualified and experienced peer practitioner from Mind or Primary Care Connect, for two to three weeks.
Peer practitioners draw on their own lived experience of psychological distress to connect with, understand and walk alongside the people they support. Through the Short Term Support Service, peer practitioners help service users navigate their circumstances and equip them with tools to begin to manage their distress.
If needed, the Short Term Support Service can also connect people with longer-term supports in the community. This may include a referral to a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program, or a GP to seek access to a mental health plan.
The Distress Support Service is an important addition to the mental health system in Victoria that will help prevent psychological distress from escalating into a significant long-term mental health challenge, Mind CEO Gill Callister said.
“The Victorian and Australian governments are to be commended for providing free and accessible mental health and wellbeing support in regional communities without having to go to a hospital, an emergency service, or even your local GP,” Ms Callister said.
“As a leading employer of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, Mind Australia sees the profound impact peer practitioners can have supporting others to manage their mental health each and every day in our services.
“We look forward to working with Primary Care Connect to support the health and wellbeing of people in the Shepparton region experiencing distress.”
For more information about Distress Support Service in Shepparton, visit Primary Care Connect, email [email protected], or call (03) 4836 1100.