Mind Australia is delighted to announce Victoria’s first Lived Experience Residential Service will be developed in Moolap, a suburb in Greater Geelong.
Mind is delivering the groundbreaking Victorian Government service with strong local support from Barwon Health.
The residence will provide free short-term support in a home-like setting for people experiencing mental health crisis and distress.
This innovative trial service is designed and run by a highly experienced and skilled peer workforce. Peer practitioners are trained to draw on the experience, knowledge and wisdom of their own mental health challenges to support others in their healing and recovery.
Mind Australia CEO Gill Callister said the announcement was a significant milestone for peer-led mental health support in Victoria.
“Mind is proud to lead the establishment of the first Lived Experience Residential Service in Victoria. This service will provide the opportunity to forge new ground in the delivery of lived experience-led services, in partnership with the Victorian Government, lived experience and sector partners, and the community,” Ms Callister said.
“We are both humbled and committed to leading this important service in its establishment and delivery, which will play a critical role in ensuring that Victorians have choice and improved outcomes when reaching out for mental health support.”
Once operational, the Lived Experience Residential Service will offer up to eight beds for anyone aged 18 and over experiencing high levels of distress.
Guests will have their own room in a warm, home-like space and will be able to stay anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks, depending on their needs.
Peer workers will work with guests on their healing journey, and support guests to build family and community connections, to ensure they have continued support when they are ready to leave the service.
Staff at the service will also help guests connect with additional supports if required. This might include connecting with social groups, and accessing clinical care, which will be provided in partnership with Barwon Health.
Mind Executive Director Lived Experience, Katie Larsen, said the insights from the development and delivery of the Lived Experience Residential Service has the potential to shape the future of mental health care in Victoria and Australia more broadly.
“Victoria’s first Lived Experience Residential Service will deliver support through a transformative approach that centres connection, compassion and healing informed by the knowledge, wisdom and insight of lived experience,” Ms Larsen said.
“It will offer a unique and critical component in the reform of the mental health system in Victoria, particularly how those with lived experience can and must shape and lead the mental health services and supports of the future.”
This service has been developed in partnership between Mind Australia, the Victorian Government and Alfred Mental and Addiction Health. The model has been designed with people seeking alternatives to what is traditionally offered, building on evidence-based Lived Experience approaches to healing.
The residence will first open with four beds in early 2026, with all eight beds expected to be available by mid-2026.