FAQs

The Commonwealth Government identified Corio as an area of need. The Geelong SA3 had the highest overnight admitted mental health-related separations and Corio has the lowest socioeconomic rating of the entire Western Victoria PHN region.

The design of the Adult mental Health Centre will build on what we learn during the 12 months of providing HeadtoHelp services. HeadtoHelp is part of the the Australian Government’s $31.9 million mental health package to further enhance the mental health support available to Victorian during the COVID-19 pandemic and is funded for 12 months. The Adult Mental Health Centre is part of a five year trial where eight Adult Mental Health Centres are being established across Australia, one in each state and territory. 

The purpose of HeadtoHelp and the Adult Mental Health Centre are similar, both will provide an accessible entry point where a mental health professional will listen and work with people to determine the level of care to match peoples need, coordinating access to existing services, delivering care from the centre or being connected to specialist or acute mental health services. The Adult Mental Health Centre will offer crisis services, but this should not be confused with Emergency or Urgent care. 

A model of care for Adult Mental Health Centres was developed by a National Advisory Group. The co-design opportunity is to integrate this model of care within the existing service system in Geelong. This will require the collective minds of key stakeholders coming together to identify opportunities and barriers in Geelong and negotiating potential solutions and understanding constraints.