Celebrating Mental Health Month 2019

Please note: As of 1 February 2021, the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority (VHHSBA) became the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA).

Over a lifetime, almost one in two Victorians will experience mental illness. This year, 1.3 million Victorians will face mental illness and half of those won’t get help.

October is Mental Health Month – an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma and promote mental health and wellbeing in our community.

It’s about looking at mental illness in a positive light, so that more people feel supported to get the help they need.
 

Our work in support of mental health

At the Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority, we are planning and building mental health and alcohol and other drug facilities across the state. These facilities help vulnerable Victorians get the help they need to improve their wellbeing.

Supporting the Victorian Government’s 10-year mental health plan, we’re building hospitals with emergency department crisis hubs to provide specialised mental health services and care. The community-based prevention and recovery care (PARC) facilities we’re building provide early intervention and recovery support in residential settings. Since 2014 we have more than doubled the number of alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation beds in Victoria, with over half based in regional Victoria.

We’re developing youth mental health facilities to provide world-leading, evidence-based care to help young Victorians get support for mental illness. Our Early in Life Mental Health Services (ELMHS) provide specialised programs and support for children experiencing mental health issues. New facilities and services are available at Monash Children’s Hospital, and there are more services to come.

We’re also helping to improve the quality and safety of public mental health and alcohol and other drug service facilities through our Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Facilities Renewal Fund. The fund provides grants to upgrade facilities and services so they can continue to provide the very best high-quality care for all Victorians.

It’s time to talk about Mental Health

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has launched a new #timetotalkvic video series featuring ordinary Victorians speaking out about their mental health challenges, to help break the stigma and silence around mental health.

You can watch the #timetotalkvic videos and learn more about mental health on the Better Health Channel website.

Get support

Mental health helplines are a great resource if you are struggling with mental health issues.

Speak to someone who will listen and can give you appropriate advice and tell you the steps to take to get help.

If you or someone you know needs support, there are a number of options available on the Better Health Channel website.

Find out more about our projects

You can read more about our mental health projects here on our website.