Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services (25–65)
The Goulburn Valley Area Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service at GV Health provides treatment, care and support for adults who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, serious mental health challenges.
We work with adults and the people who support them to understand what is happening and find the right support. Our goal is to provide care that is respectful, recovery-oriented and tailored to each person’s needs, strengths and goals.
We work closely with GPs, families, carers and community services to make sure people receive the right support at the right time.
Who is this service for?
This service supports adults, generally aged 26 to 64, who are experiencing significant mental health challenges.
We support people living in:
- Greater Shepparton
- Mitchell
- Murrindindi
- Strathbogie
- Moira
If you are under 26, the Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service may be more suitable. If you are unsure which service is right for you, Mental Health Triage can help work this out.
What kinds of concerns can the service help with?
Our team supports adults experiencing serious or complex mental health challenges, such as:
- depression or ongoing low mood
- anxiety or overwhelming stress
- psychosis or unusual experiences
- bipolar disorder
- severe or complex mental health conditions
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- trauma or the effects of stressful life events
- mental health challenges alongside alcohol or other drug use.
If you are unsure whether our service is right for you, you can still contact Triage for advice.
How does the service support people?
Our team works with you to understand what is happening and explore the best ways to support your recovery and wellbeing.
Support may include:
- Listening and understanding
- Taking time to understand your experiences, strengths and goals.
- Mental health assessment
- Helping identify what you may be experiencing and what supports may help.
- Treatment and therapy
- Providing evidence-based treatment, therapy and medication support suited to your needs.
- Community-based care
- Intensive treatment, mobile support and continuing care provided in the community.
- Care coordination and case management
- Working with you over time and connecting you with the right services and supports.
- Recovery-focused support
- Helping you build skills, confidence and connections to move forward with your life.
- Family and carer inclusion
- Involving the people important to you, with your consent.
Who works in the service?
Our service includes a range of professionals who work together to support you, including:
- Psychiatrists
- Mental health nurses
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Occupational therapists
- Lived and living experience (peer) workers
Our team combines professional expertise with lived experience perspectives to provide respectful, recovery-oriented care.
Where does the service operate?
The Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Service provides support through:
- Community-based services and outreach
- An acute inpatient unit (Wanyarra) at the GV Health Graham Street campus in Shepparton
- Collaboration with other GV Health mental health services
- Partnership with the regional Mental Health and Wellbeing Local
Our community teams are based in Shepparton (Monash Street) and Seymour (Beta Street).
How does the service work with GPs and other services?
We work closely with the people and services that support you, including:
- GPs
- Hospitals and community health services
- Alcohol and other drug services
- Aboriginal community-controlled organisations
- Other health and wellbeing services
We can also provide secondary consultation for professionals supporting people with complex needs.
How do I access the service?
All referrals are made through Mental Health Triage.
Mental Health Triage
1300 369 005
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Individuals, families, GPs and other services can all contact Triage. A trained clinician will talk with you, offer advice and help you access the right service.
When should I seek help?
It can be hard to know when to reach out. You may want to seek support if you notice changes that are worrying, persistent, or affecting daily life.
Some signs that extra support may be helpful include:
- ongoing sadness, anxiety or distress
- losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- big changes in mood, sleep, appetite or energy
- finding it hard to cope with daily life, work or relationships
- unusual thoughts or experiences
- thoughts of harming yourself
- relying more on alcohol or other drugs to cope.
You do not need to wait until things become unmanageable. It is always okay to reach out for advice. You can contact Mental Health Triage on 1300 369 005 to discuss your concerns and explore the best options.
What happens after a referral?
Once a referral is made through Mental Health Triage, the following steps usually occur:
- Initial conversation
A clinician will talk with you to understand your concerns and current needs.
- Review and assessment
The referral is reviewed to determine the most appropriate service and support.
- Contact from the service
If the referral is accepted, a member of the team will contact you to arrange next steps.
- First appointment
The first meeting usually focuses on getting to know you, understanding your concerns, and exploring what supports may help.
- Planning support together
The team works with you to develop a support plan that may include treatment, therapy, care coordination and connection with other services.
Sometimes another service may be better suited to support you. If this happens, our team will help guide you to the most appropriate service.
What can I expect when working with the service?
Every person’s journey is different, but care usually involves:
Working together on decisions
You are involved in decisions about your care, treatment and recovery.
Recovery-oriented care
Care focuses on your strengths, hopes and goals, not just your symptoms.
Respect for your rights
Your rights, dignity, culture and preferences are respected throughout your care.
Family and carer inclusion
The people important to you can be involved, with your consent.
Coordination with other supports
We may work with GPs, community services and other supports to make sure your care is connected.
Resources and useful links
Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals (Victoria)
Free treatment, care and support for people aged 26 and over — no referral, Medicare card or mental health care plan needed.
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services/mental-health-and-wellbeing-locals
Better Health Channel — mental health services explained
A guide to the different mental health services and how they work.
Head to Health / Medicare Mental Health
Free advice and connection to mental health services. P: 1800 595 212
https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/
Beyond Blue
Mental health information and support. P: 1300 22 4636
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
SANE Australia
Support for people affected by complex mental health issues, and their families. P: 1800 187 263
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
Advocacy and information for people with lived experience of mental health challenges.
Tandem
Support and advocacy for families and carers of people experiencing mental health challenges.
https://www.tandemcarers.org.au/
Lifeline
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention. P: 13 11 14
What if I need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 now.
For urgent mental health advice or support, call: GV Health Mental Health Triage
1300 369 005
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
You can also contact:
- Lifeline — 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis support)
- Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
If you need an interpreter, let staff know and one can be arranged.
- ADDRESS
Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Service
Monash Street
Shepparton, 3630
Beta Street
Seymour, 3660
- CONTACT
- REFERRALS
For referrals please contact Mental Health triage 1300 369 005