Following a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the Federal and Victorian governments have respectively pledged $2.4 million and $2.6 million to deliver a new support program designed to assist Victorian adults experiencing psychological distress over 21 days.
The Distress Brief Support Trial, announced by Victorian Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt and Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride, will be trialled in Greater Shepparton and the City of Darebin.
“Creating the option to support people across a period of 21 days gives us a better chance to make sure people are connected to longer term supports and avoid the need for more acute care,” Ms McBride said.
Mind Australia and ermha365 have been appointed to lead the trial, which is anticipated to begin in mid-2025 and continue until 2027.
The two groups will collaborate with key stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience of distress and those from diverse backgrounds, to design a program that meets the needs of the community.
The trial, designed to reduce the demand on the health system, will provide an alternative to visiting the emergency department.
This will be achieved by helping individuals experiencing psychological distress develop skills to manage their distress while connecting them to local services for ongoing community support.
“I am proud to announce the new providers for the Distress Brief Support program trial, as it brings us closer to start this crucial service that will help people manage their distress before they reach a crisis point,” Ms Stitt said.
“A clinical approach is not for everybody, that’s why we want to offer different ways to assist people in need.”