Victorian Mental Health Minister, Ingrid Stitt, has officially opened the state’s first peer-led residential mental health service in Moolap.
Backed by a $14.8 million investment from the Government, the Peer Healing Space is an alternative to hospital-based care for adults experiencing acute mental distress or crisis.
The free service offers support in a home-like environment, co-designed and led by people with lived and living experience of mental health challenges.
A peer-led workforce will provide tailored, person-centered care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People can be referred to the service by professionals or can self-refer and can stay for up to three weeks.
As an alternative to acute inpatient care, the service will help reduce pressure on hospitals, said Minister Stitt.
“The Peer Healing Space puts people with lived and living experience at the heart of mental health care,” she said.
“This service provides a new option for mental health care that gives people choice, while easing pressure on hospitals.”
The service is run by Mind Australia with support from Barwon Health and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.
“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,” said Mind Australia Executive Director, Katie Larsen.
“It will also demonstrate outcomes and experiences that can support the continued transformation of Victoria’s mental health system, led by Lived Experience.”
The first four rooms are now open, with a further five to be opened later this year.
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.”
