More help is on the way for Wimmera residents experiencing psychological distress.
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Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital has begun recruiting for two more rural outreach workers, with applications closing February Monday 25.
It follows former Rural and Remote Engagement worker Mal Coutts becoming the first outreach worker in December.
Mr Coutts, who has so far been working across West Wimmera Shire, said he and the other two workers would work together to reach further clients in the Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and Horsham local government areas.
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“There is a need for this type of help right throughout the region, but we were lucky to get the first round of funding in the West Wimmera,” Mr Coutts said.
“I’ve been re-engaging with different organisations and hospitals to get them to realise I’m back out doing what I was a couple of years ago,” he said.
“I’ve been reasonably busy, especially in the last three weeks.
"Some people have said they just want to have a talk, others need some help working with the police on different things, and others just haven’t realised there is help available, whether it be counselling, social workers or pathways for food parcels and GPs.”
Andrew Saunders, chief executive of EDMH, said the outreach workers would help connect people with the services they needed – financial, health or psychological – in a timely way.
“People don’t need to see a GP before accessing this service,” he said.
“The hospital realised by using some of the four councils’ drought assistance funding we could afford to get another couple of workers in for 12 months.”
Mr Saunders said Swinburne University was in the process of drafting a report on the value of the outreach program, which would be presented to the government later this year to try and secure long-term funding.
He also said Horsham-based Ngareta Melgrin has been made co-ordinator of the program for the region.
To access the outreach service, contact the hospital on 5585 9800 or 0418 981 210.