A WIMMERA mental health advocacy group says more preventive care is needed in the region.
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Healthy Minds Horsham member Gavin Morrow said the region's mental health model was reactive and not proactive.
"One of the biggest problems we have in regards to mental health is that there is nothing provided for prevention. What we do is wait for a problem and then get someone to fix it," he said.
"There are a lot of mental health providers in our community, but it is very much reactive."
It comes as the group prepares to host a Burnout to Thriving event in Horsham next month about workplace stress.
Monash University's Mindfulness Program co-ordinator Associate Professor Craig Hassed will talk to attendees about ways they can manage stress and reduce stress levels.
"We've done a lot of work with him in the past. He has scientific evidence and practical examples of how people can achieve great results," Mr Morrow said.
"In recent years we have been really trying to push this preventive action model for the Wimmera. That preventative action is recognising that stress can be the precursor for mental illness and workplace burnout.
"We want people to be able to recognise those feelings of stress before it gets to a point where it's a problem."
He said feelings of stress were widespread across the region.
"I don't think anybody is immune to it. One thing we've learned is that we're all made differently, which means that we all handle stress differently," he said.
"The hardest thing can be that first step in asking for help."
Mr Morrow said the group was working with politicians and other user groups in trying to get a 24/7 mental health facility in the Wimmera.
"Whether you call it a wellness centre or a crisis centre, it's got to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Most times people need help after hours when health services such as headspace and Uniting Wimmera are closed," he said.
The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System is due to release its interim report in November.
Mr Morrow said he hoped action would be taken following the report.
"It's no use doing more of what we're doing now. What we're doing now is not working. Unless we change something, nothing will ever change," he said.
"Things need to have a rural focus too. A lot of funding that is available is given to metropolitan areas."
Healthy Minds Horsham's Burnout to Thriving event will be at Horsham's Federation University campus auditorium on November 1 from 6.30pm.
Mr Morrow said entry cost a donation with all fund raised going back into Healthy Minds Horsham for future events.
The group is organising a stress management workshop in February.
"We did one this year and it was very popular. There's obviously a need for it," he said.
Mr Morrow said people who needed to talk were welcome to contact him on 0418 504 985.
"I don't ask their names when people ring up. Sometimes they just want to talk and then I always try to direct them to the right place," he said.
Coughlin Park Bowls Club will host a mindfulness talk on November 13 with Mr Morrow and former Beyond Blue ambassador John Sudholz.
- If you, or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Help on 1800 55 1800 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
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