What is it?
A funding model that facilitates affordable and accessible mental health support in Northern Grampians Shire, including locally based psychologists, counsellors and allied health professionals, so residents can access care close to home.
Why is it needed?
Northern Grampians Shire residents experience disproportionately high levels of psychological distress while facing lower access to mental health services compared with the Victorian population. 26% of residents report high or very high psychological distress, while access to psychology services remains significantly below the state average. Intentional self-harm and hospitalisations in the Wimmera-Grampians region are also above the state average, while rates of death by suicide are 1.3 times the Victorian average.
These challenges are compounded by increasing pressures facing rural communities, including drought, natural disasters, economic stress and structural service gaps. Northern Grampians Shire has experienced floods, drought and bushfire events in recent years, all of which place additional strain on community wellbeing and increase demand for mental health support.
The ask
A commitment to improving access to mental health and wellbeing services in the shire by:
- Dedicated mental health inpatient beds in Horsham to service the Wimmera.
- Increasing and improving funding models for regional mental health services.
- Supporting the delivery of locally based services so residents do not need to travel long distances.
- Ensuring services remain affordable and accessible (nil or low fee) for rural residents.
Specifications
- Location: Shire-wide
- State seat: Lowan & Ripon
- Federal seat: Mallee
- Advocacy type: Support
- Council plan goal: Live it up: Health, wellbeing and community
- What has been done so far: Desktop analysis and community engagement as part of the Council and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-29 process.
- Community wellbeing and health promotion initiatives delivered by council under the Council and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-29.
- Residential and community mental health services funded via the State Government, delivered by health and community health services.
- Federal funding of benefit schedules, Primary Health Networks, and regional mental health reform.
- Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–29
- Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform 2025
- Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2023–27
- Victorian Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy 2024–34
- Statewide Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and Capital Plan 2024–37
- National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–35
- National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022–32