Ms Pulford confirmed the additional funding would support the program for a further 12 months.
“Eight percent of visits by the outreach team required more than three hours of travel to provide support, so the program’s telehealth option has also been vital in responding to the mental-health needs of people living in remote areas during the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.
Ms Pulford said since the program started in 2018, it had provided more than 1000 hours of mental-health support to people.
She added The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System outlined the importance of providing additional resources to regional Victorian mental health and wellbeing services.
“We know that travelling long distances is too often a barrier for country Victorians in accessing quality mental-health support – and we’re proud to be investing to support communities in the Wimmera and southern Mallee when they need it most,” she said.
“The Wimmera’s outreach team provides world-class support across the region – lending an ear, providing support, guidance and referral to other mental- health treatment, and I know how important it is to make sure these communities get the care they need.”
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said she hoped the money found its way to the right destination considering the changes to health provision in the region.
“The outreach program is critically important and the two organisations listed as running it are earmarked for dramatic change,” she said.
“There is always a risk when centralising services that money designated for a regional area or project will be eroded away or watered down by process.”
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