Benalla to pilot flagship mental health program

Published on 11 November 2022

Benalla Rural City is one of five local government areas to receive state government funding for a new initiative to promote community connection and support mental health and wellbeing.

The funding will support a new Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) – a flagship prevention initiative recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Benalla Rural City Council Mayor Bernie Hearn said the program would further strengthen Benalla’s ability to provide local social and mental health support services.

“The Royal Commission recognised that communities are best placed to understand and drive local social connection and inclusion efforts that support mental health and wellbeing,” Cr Hearn said.

“This initiative builds upon local foundations laid by the Benalla Community Suicide Prevention Steering Committee’s place-based trial and the work already being done by groups such as Life4Life, the Benalla Health and Wellbeing Partnership and Age Friendly Benalla just to name a few.

“Benalla’s leadership in local approaches to mental health and wellbeing recently saw our town recognised as a Mental Health First Aid Community Champion.

“This latest announcement will deliver further positive outcomes for our most vulnerable community members by supporting social connection and inclusion, connecting people to community initiatives that will support their mental health and wellbeing.

“It will bring together community members and leaders to guide and lead local social connection and inclusion efforts.”

The Victorian Government announced the first five SIAGs will be established over the next year by Benalla Rural City Council, Mansfield Shire Council, Rural City of Wangaratta, Latrobe City Council and Frankston City Council.

Further Social Inclusion Action Groups are due to be up and running across the State by 2025.

The groups will see community members and leaders across local government areas working together to deliver initiatives that boost social inclusion and connection.

They will receive flexible funding to support community initiatives, developed by locals – for locals, that support community participation.

Social Inclusion Action Groups aim to strengthen the focus of the system towards supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing earlier and in-place.

SIAGs will take the lead in working with local communities to identify challenges and opportunities, supporting them to determine issues and take action to support the mental health and wellbeing of their communities.

They will develop and test a range of initiatives that promote community participation, inclusion and engagement.

Find out more about Social Inclusion Action Groups on the Department of Health website health.vic.gov.au