NDS consults Victorian sector on mental health services

NDS is undertaking work looking at the mental health needs of people with disability and how they are supported by the disability and mental health systems. NDS has received substantial feedback from the sector. This will contribute to the Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and Blueprint being developed by the Department of Health, highlighting the depth of sector concern for the mental health needs of people with disabilities.   

The consultations found key challenges for the Victorian sector: 

• The mental health service models and access requirements for referrals are unclear.  
• There are workforce shortages in mental health that cause reduced access for services or the need to accept poorly suited options. 
• Many providers have difficulty identifying the mental health needs of people with disability and meeting their dual needs. 
• The complexity of NDIS planning and assessment systems create barriers to mental health supports.  
• The funding models for training support workers in mental health identification are limited. 
• Addressing the mental health needs of individuals increases the unfunded workload for support workers and coordinators.   

NDS will use this feedback to inform activities in 2023 to support the sector to address the mental health needs of people with disabilities. 

Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services are open   

The new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services provide comfortable drop-in spaces for treatment, care and support for Victorians aged over 26, including people with co-occurring substance use or addiction. They are the “front door” for mental health and wellbeing support. Developed to be welcoming and inclusive, the services don’t need a referral.  

The first six providers have opened in: 

• Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield: Wellways Australia in partnership with Albury Wodonga Health and Australian Community Support Organisation 
• Latrobe City: Neami National in partnership with Drummond Street Services and Uniting Vic Tas 
• Frankston: Wellways Australia in partnership with Peninsula Health and Mentis Assist 
• Geelong and Queenscliff: Barwon Health in partnership with Wellways Australia, ermha365 and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative 
• Brimbank: Cohealth in partnership with Clarity Health Care and the University of Melbourne 
• Whittlesea: Neami National in partnership with Drummond St Services, Uniting Vic Tas and Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.  

Further details on the services are available on the Victorian Government Department of Health website. 

National Standards for Mental Health Services for Community Managed Organisations 

The National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations were released on 23 November. The standards were developed to protect the public from harm, continuously improve the quality-of-service provision and support a consistent level of care for individuals, families and carers when attending community managed mental health services.