YARRIAMBIACK, Hindmarsh and West Wimmera shire councils have teamed up to lobby the state and federal governments to fund an additional mental health service in the region.
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Council representatives met with Wimmera health providers to discuss expanding the Rural Outreach Program. Yarriambiack Shire Council acting chief executive James Magee said the group was working through funding opportunities.
“The additional mental health service we're trying to get in our region will be one that people can access without going to a general practitioner,” he said.
“There are mental health services available now, but people need to be referred first.
“These mental health care providers in the Rural Outreach Program will be mobile and will be able to drop in to smaller towns.
“Mental health is an issue everywhere, but it seems to be a major issue especially in rural areas.
“We obviously have a large farming community in our shire, and mental health is something that we definitely need to keep an eye on.”
A similar federal government-funded program – the Drought Assistance Program – was rolled out in 2015 by Wimmera Uniting Care.
It provided Horsham, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Buloke residents with mental health support through counselling.
“That program was really well utilised, but when the funding ran out, the service stopped,” Mr Magee said.
He said the group was looking for financial support from the state and federal governments.
“We have been preparing a possible costing model that we hope to present,” he said.
“We’re also working in partnership with health services in the region to implement the program with external funding.”
West Wimmera Shire Council chief executive David Leahy said the group had further discussed the financial model of the program at a meeting last week.
“We are continuing to refine the business case to justify the investment in the program,” he said.
“Everybody is really pushing this in the same direction; it has been a very collaborative effort.
“We want to get the best outcomes for our residents.
“There needs to be a clear plan for the future of this program so it can continue and has secure, long-term funding.”
Mr Leahy said one of the crucial elements of the service would be face-to-face consultation with people in outlying towns.
“We’re looking to cover as much ground as possible,” he said.
“The best way to talk about mental health issues is by having a one-on-one conversation.”
