Michelle from Bendigo says she wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the From Homelessness to a Home program.
She is one of hundreds of Victorians experiencing homelessness that Mind Australia supported during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Victorian government’s From Homelessness to a Home program.
Mind partnered with Haven Home Safe, Launch Housing and Beyond Housing to provide intensive recovery support to people in the Loddon Mallee, Barwon South, Ovens Murray, Melbourne North and South East metropolitan Melbourne regions who have experienced chronic homelessness, assisting their transition from rough sleeping or temporary hotel accommodation into longer-term housing.
Michelle has been supported by Mind’s From Homelessness to a Home team since 2021 when she relocated from Ballarat to escape an unhealthy relationship and start a fresh life.
The 52-year-old, who experiences symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression, remembers leaving Ballarat thinking “what am I going to do? I’m going to be homeless.”
“I was stressed, overwhelmed and I felt like everything was out of control,” Michelle said.
“Mind has been a life-saver. Whether it’s helping me get to an appointment, or with photocopying documents and life admin work, or just a check-in phone call, Sheree [Mind Housing and Recovery Coordinator] has been great.
“I don’t know where I’d be without Sheree. I struggle to trust people but she has helped me through that and has encouraged me to get out in the community.”
Michelle says while it has been challenging moving to a new area, she has noticed a considerable improvement in her mental health, which she attributes to the support she has received through the From Homelessness to a Home program.
“Just thinking about my journey and how far I have come has made me smile,” she said.
“I have a roof over my head, I have furniture and I have food in the cupboard. I’m more settled now, and that is thanks to Sheree’s support. Yes, I still have rough days, but I’m more grounded now and I have a solid foundation to deal with the bad days. Having this home has given me the strength to do other things because I know I’m safe and stable. This is home.”
“Life was pretty black and grey there for a while without a lot of hope. But now I have colour in my life. I’ve come back to life.”
From Homelessness to a Home began in 2021. Since that time, Mind staff have been supporting participants like Michelle to get appropriate housing and then receive wrap around mental health recovery support to promote better health and wellbeing and so their tenancies can be sustained.