Mind Australia and the Victorian Government are delighted to announce the official opening of The Peer Healing Space - Victoria’s first lived experience residential service.
The Peer Healing Space, located in Greater Geelong, was officially opened by Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health, Ingrid Stitt MP on Friday 10 July.
The Peer Healing Space is a place for people who are experiencing distress or mental health challenges to access short-term care and support in a home-like setting. The free service is available for people aged 18 years and over, is run by people with lived and living experience of mental health challenges.
Guests can stay at The Peer Healing Space for a few days or up to three weeks. Each guest has their own private room, as well as access to shared living spaces designed to feel comfortable and supportive.
Guests are supported by peer workers - a specialist and highly skilled workforce with lived experience of mental health challenges. Peer workers work alongside guests on their healing journey and to ensure they have ongoing support when they are ready to leave the service.
Minister Stitt said “The Peer Healing Space puts people with lived and living experience at the heart of mental health care”.
The Peer Healing Space has gardens, shared indoor spaces, and room to rest, connect, and heal in a way that suits each guest’s needs. Guests can continue engaging with existing supports in community, and visits from family members, carers and supporters, are welcome.
Mind Australia Acting CEO Denise Cumming said the opening marked a significant milestone for Mind and for the continued growth of peer-led mental health support in Victoria.
“Mind is incredibly proud to launch the operations of Victoria’s first lived experience residential service, the Peer Healing Space. This service has been brought to life through a dedicated approach to partnership with the Victorian Government, Lived Experience and sector partners and the community,” Ms Cumming said.
“We are committed to leading and learning from this important service which plays a critical role in ensuring that Victorians have choice and improved outcomes when reaching out for mental health support.”
Mind Australia Executive Director Lived Experience, Katie Larsen, said the Peer Healing Space provides an alternative to hospital for people experiencing mental health challenges.
“The Peer Healing Space is designed by community, for community and offers a new and different path for healing for Victorians experiencing mental health distress,” Ms Larsen said.
“It will also demonstrate outcomes and experiences that can support the continued transformation of Victoria’s mental health system, led by Lived Experience.”
Developed in partnership between Mind and the Victorian Government, this innovative model was co-designed with people seeking alternatives to what is traditionally offered, building on evidence-based Lived Experience approaches to healing.
Mind Australia operates the service with support from Barwon Health and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.
The Peer Healing Space is currently operating with four beds, with all nine beds to be available later this year.
Learn more about the Peer Healing Space or contact Mind Connect by calling 1300 286 463, or emailing [email protected]