Victoria is amidst another natural disaster; waters have inundated homes, displacing residents, and businesses have been lost, adversely affecting the mental health and wellbeing of those involved.
A $4.4-million initial package will support any extra mental healthcare flood-affected Victorians need.
The Victorian government’s mental health and wellbeing hubs, which were used during the pandemic to support extra mental health demand, will see $1.5 million in surge funding in the worst-affected areas across regional Victoria and Melbourne’s west.
A further $2 million will support trusted community mental health organisations to deliver care when it’s needed most, while Neighbourhood Houses and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in affected areas will receive $400,000 to run local events, connecting flood-affected residents across communities.
Primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were lost in the floods will get the dedicated mental health support they need, with $500,000 for specialist agriculture organisations, including the National Centre for Farmer Health.
The government’s ‘School Mental Health Fund’ has now rolled out to every government school in regional Victoria, offering an evidence-based menu of wellbeing options for schools to choose the mental health support that suits their unique cohort.
Children and their families who have been affected by the floods are strongly encouraged to contact their trusted school leaders, who can help them access care quickly.
Victorians are reminded they can contribute to flood recovery efforts at givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding.
