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Families and carers of people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges in the Ballarat, Horsham, Stawell, Daylesford, Edenhope, Great Western, Hopetoun, Kaniva, Nhill, St Arnaud, Warracknabeal and Ararat areas will be able to get support from a new service to be provided by Mind Australia in partnership with Ballarat Community Health and Grampians Community Health. 

The Grampians Family and Carer-led Centre will support family members, carers, kin and supporters of people with mental ill-health and/or substance use challenges.  

The Grampians Family and Carer-led Centre is one of eight funded by the Victorian government and recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. The Royal Commission recognised the unique contribution family members and other carers play in supporting people with mental health and wellbeing challenges, and the need to support their health and wellbeing also. 

The Centre is expected to begin delivering services in September 2023. It will provide opportunities for family, carers and supporters to connect with trained peer workers who share their lived experience of supporting someone with mental health and wellbeing concerns and/or substance use challenges. The Centre will also provide tailored information, resources, advocacy, support (individual and group-based), and access to brokerage funds through Tandem’s Carer Support Fund. 

Once fully established, support services will be available through walk-in, phone, online and outreach services. 

Family, carers and supporters will not need a referral to access the Grampians Family and Carer-led Centre, and all staff at the Centre will have a lived experience as a family member or carer. Mind Participation and Co-design Manager Carolynne White – who has lived experience of being a carer – said listening to family and carers and learning from their lived experiences will help the Centre design and deliver the most effective and suitable supports possible.  

“People who care for someone with mental ill-health often experience isolation, reduced opportunities for employment and income generation, and all too often must learn as they go when it comes to taking care of their loved one,” Dr White said. 

“By listening to carers within the local community and identifying the issues that matter, we can create tailored support options so that carers can live their own lives, while continuing to care for their loved ones.” 

This collaborative initiative will not only strengthen and grow such services across the Grampians region, but it will shine a brighter light on this essential community need.
- Ballarat Community Health CEO Sean Duffy

Dr White said Mind is committed to ensuring the Family and Carer-led Centre meets the needs of local families and carers. 

“Together with our partners, we will be hosting a series of community forums and workshops across Ballarat and the Grampians regions to listen to what families and carers want and design services and supports that work for them.” 

Co-production of the Centre by local people with lived experience will include planning, design, delivery and evaluation. 

Mind CEO Gill Callister said the Victorian government is to be commended for following the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and putting lived experience at the heart of service design and delivery. 

“The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recognises the valuable skills, strengths, and expertise that families and carers develop through their lived experiences of providing support,” Ms Callister said. 

“These Family and Carer-led Centres, in Loddon Mallee and now the Grampians, will create support for people who play a vital role in caring for others but often need support themselves. We are proud to be partners in developing this novel and holistic approach to care.” 

Mind also delivers the Loddon Mallee Family and Carer-led Centre. 

Ballarat Community Health CEO Sean Duffy said the three organisations were committed to the families and carers of people experiencing mental illness and/or substance use challenges across the region. 

“Ballarat Community Health are pleased to be partnering with Mind and Grampians Community Health, and we recognise that access to mental health support services are more critical than ever,” Mr Duffy said. 

“This collaborative initiative will not only strengthen and grow such services across the Grampians region, but it will shine a brighter light on this essential community need. We look forward to working together to achieve that.” 

Grampians Community Health CEO Greg Little said the Grampians Family and Carer-led Centre will provide much needed support services for carers and family members in regional areas. 

“Grampians Community Health is very pleased to be considered by Mind as a partner to deliver services across the Grampians and Wimmera region. It is important that these small local communities distanced from larger regional cities get the local services they need,” Mr Little said. 

If you would like more information about Mind services, please contact us via Mind Connect or by phone: 1300 286 463. 

If this article raises concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can also call 13 YARN (13 92 76) a 24/7 national crisis support telephone service staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.