MHWB Hub funding extension is to be commended

Mental Health Victoria commends the Victorian Government for extending funding for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs.

The funding applies to all 30 Hubs through to 30 June 2023.

Across the past year, Mental Health Victoria has advocated for the government to provide existing Hubs with funding certainty to continue to service Victorian residents in need of community-based mental health care. This was also included as a key priority in our submission to the 2022-23 State Budget.

Last year, the government expanded the initial 20 Hubs to 30 in recognition that the model was providing necessary supports for Victorians suffering through the pandemic.

By April this year, the Hubs had supported over 1600 Victorians.

In a press conference with key representatives from the mental health sector, Deputy Premier and Minister for Mental Health James Merlino acknowledged the success of the Hubs in reaching Victorians in need and highlighted the importance of continued funding.

A warmly welcomed response to public need

Mental Health Victoria acting joint CEO John Foley has commended the announcement.

“The success of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs over the past eight months has proven what the Victorian community-managed mental health sector has long known: that high-quality and impactful mental health services can be delivered in communities, and at scale,” he said.

“Our 2022/23 State Budget submission recommended the extension of funding for existing Hubs as an overarching priority to address some of the complex emerging needs across our community that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed or exacerbated,” said John.

“We commend the Victorian government for its deep engagement with MHV on this issue, and its commitment to innovative and nimble policy and service solutions. We also commend Victoria’s community-managed mental health organisations which have overseen such a successful and impactful suite of services across the pandemic.”

Minister Merlino stated continued funding for the Hubs was only a small part of what Victorians could expect in mental health supports as the Andrews government continues to roll out the recommendations of the Royal Commission.