Brimbank Council has adopted the Mental Wellbeing Plan 2022-2024 which will shape and strengthen strategies for improving mental health in the community.
Mental wellbeing has been identified as a significant issue in Brimbank, with residents reporting lower levels of wellbeing than the Victorian average. Women also reported more psychological distress, anxiety and depression than men.
Council conducted research with key stakeholders last year to analyse mental health service provision. This followed the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System which identified issues in Brimbank such as the:
- stigma associated with getting help for mental health issues
- demand for services has overtaken supply
- poverty and disadvantage making it difficult for people to access services
- residents not knowing and understanding what support services exist
- individual’s resistance to acknowledging the need for help
- difficulties in navigating a complex mental health system
While many specialist organisations deliver a wide variety of mental wellbeing supports in the community, the research identified that Council could play a role in supporting mental wellbeing by:
- building Council’s knowledge-base and evidence of community need
- advocating for and influencing the delivery of new services and supports
- delivering social inclusion initiatives aimed at vulnerable groups
- supporting mental health first aid training
- raising awareness of services and supports to help people navigate the system
- undertaking mental health and wellbeing promotion
Quotes attributable to Brimbank Mayor, Cr Jasmine Nguyen:
“Mental health services providers do an important job in helping to improve the community’s wellbeing and it is our role as a Council to advocate, facilitate and enable the delivery of those essential services.
“Improved mental wellbeing is a priority in Brimbank and the best way we can achieve this is through targeted strategies that support the vital work being done by our hard-working mental health service providers.
“Our research has identified better ways we can support people with mental health needs to access the services they need to live happy, healthy and productive lives.”