Free support for family and carers of people with mental health or substance use concerns
The North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect service is a warm and welcoming space for family, carers, and supporters of people living with mental health or substance use concerns.
It is a space for families to drop in and connect with each other and or our Family Peer Workers who have their own lived experience of caring for a family member with mental health or substance use concerns.
Our services are provided in a range of ways to ensure they are accessible. We provide services in person at the hub and satellite sites, over the phone and via telehealth. You can drop in or call us to book an appointment. We also have resources and information available via our website: https://thefirststop.org.au/
Services include:
- Individual and group-based peer support
- Family counselling (from October 2023)
- Information, resources and practical support
- Practical and financial assistance
- Education sessions and group programs (from October 2023)
Ivanhoe Hub
Our hub site in Ivanhoe is open from Monday 4 September:
Location: Suite 3/50 Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe
Phone: (03) 8850 4150
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
The hub in Ivanhoe includes consulting rooms, a purpose-built kitchen and lounge space, a library and resource centre, an outdoor balcony, a children's area and a ‘quiet’ room. No appointment is needed and families can drop in any time or call 8850 4150 to book an appointment. The hub is now open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Evening and weekend hours will be added in the coming months.
Satellite Sites
Drop in to our Satellite sites – no appointment necessary:
healthAbility Eltham (Fridays 10am-12.30pm) - 917 Main Road, Eltham
Yarra Ranges Youth Space (Mondays 10am-12pm) - 5/9 Clarke St, Lilydale
Ashburton Camcare (Wednesdays 12pm-2pm) - 4 Y Street, Ashburton
More satellite sites will be added in the coming months.
To find out more get in touch at MHWC@accesshc.org.au or call 8850 4150.
The North East Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing service is proudly delivered by Access Health and Community, in partnership with healthAbility, Inspiro and Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC).
