The 23 new hubs, which are now open across Victoria, make mental health and well-being care more accessible to people navigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cobram centre is operated by not-for-profit mental health and disability support organisation Wellways, which secured the funding and recognised the area’s need.
Wellways also operates a similar hub in Shepparton, as well as some centres near Geelong.
Cobram was picked as a host location due to its central northern Victoria position and an increase of people trying to access mental health services in the area.
Support workers at each centre, including Ashleigh Ladgrove who works at the Cobram centre, are on hand to assess needs, provide support and link them to other services.
“A person will come in and discuss any issues or barriers they’re facing and we can help them overcome that,” Ms Ladgrove said.
“Hub workers aren’t counsellors or psychologists, it’s peer-to-peer mentorship.”
She said the service is free and designed to be accessible to everyone, with walk-ins and online, phone, or in-person appointments available.
“Sometimes people just need to be heard, we can give them a safe space to talk and be heard,” Ms Ladgrove said.
“We work on their (participants) specific goals, because the whole program is designed to be goal based.
“It gets them out of the house as well, some are still reluctant to engage with the community still.”
Workers can assist with mental health and wellbeing concerns including low mood, anxiety, addiction, financial difficulties, housing stress, or loneliness and isolation.
If problems are more severe, they can link participants and provide pathways to other health and social support services.
“We’re making sure we have that holistic and wraparound approach, we can support each other and be kind to each other,” Ms Ladgrove said.
“It’s about all these things that have impact on their mental health and their ability to engage in the community, acknowledging that struggle people are experiencing.”
The Cobram Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub is at the Cobram Community House, 43 Punt Rd, Cobram.
It is open for walk-in appointments from Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 3pm, with appointments available outside these times.
For more information or to make an appointment, get in contact via phone on 5822 8698 or via www.wellways.org
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