Information for Consumers
GV Health’s mental health services aim to support people to feel safe, heard, and involved in their care.
This page provides information to help you understand what support is available, what your rights and choices are, and what to expect when using mental health services at GV Health. You can explore the sections below to find information that is relevant to you, at your own pace.
What mental health services GV Health provides
GV Health provides a range of public mental health services for people experiencing mental health challenges. Services include inpatient care, community-based support, crisis and acute response, specialist programs, and recovery-focused care. Support is provided across different ages, needs, and levels of intensity, depending on what is most helpful for you at the time.
Read more about Mental Health Service at GV Health: Mental Health Services – GV Health
Read more about other GV Health’s Services: Our services – GV Health
Who can access these services
GV Health mental health services are available to people living in the Goulburn Valley region who meet eligibility criteria for public mental health care. Access may depend on factors such as your location, level of need, and the type of service required. Some services require referral, while others can be accessed directly in urgent situations.
How to get support (referrals, intake, crisis options)
You can access mental health support through referrals from a GP, health professional, hospital, or other services. Some programs accept self-referrals. If you or someone else is at immediate risk, crisis and acute response services are available. Your GP or local mental health service can help guide you to the most appropriate support.
What to expect when using mental health services
When you engage with mental health services, staff should listen to you, explain options clearly, and involve you in decisions about your care. You may be asked questions about your experiences, needs, and goals. Support should be respectful, recovery-oriented, and focused on what matters to you.
What to expect when using mental health services
When you engage with mental health services, staff should listen to you, explain options clearly, and involve you in decisions about your care. You may be asked questions about your experiences, needs, and goals. Support should be respectful, recovery-oriented, and focused on what matters to you.
Your rights under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 sets out your rights when accessing mental health services in Victoria. These include the right to dignity, respect, cultural safety, involvement in decisions, least restrictive care, and having your preferences considered. Services must act in ways that uphold these rights.
Read more about your health care rights here: Your Healthcare Rights – GV Health
Your choices in care and treatment
You have the right to be involved in decisions about your care and treatment wherever possible. This includes discussing options, asking questions, expressing preferences, and saying what matters to you. Even when choices are limited, your views should still be listened to and taken seriously.
Supported decision-making and shared decision-making
Supported decision-making means you are helped to understand information, consider options, and express your will and preferences. Shared decision-making involves you and your treating team working together to make decisions about care. Both approaches aim to respect your autonomy and support informed choices.
Read more about supported decision making here: Supported decision making | health.vic.gov.au
Advance Statements of Preferences
An Advance Statement allows you to record your preferences for treatment and care if you become unwell in the future. This can include what helps, what does not help, and your values and priorities. Advance Statements should be considered by clinicians when decisions are made about your care.
Read more: I want to make an advance statement of preferences | IMHA
Nominated Support Person
A Nominated Support Person is someone you choose to support you and help represent your views. They may receive information, be involved in discussions, and support you to understand decisions. You can choose who your Nominated Person is and change this at any time.
Consent and confidentiality
Your personal information is treated confidentially and shared only when necessary for your care, safety, or legal reasons. You should be informed about how your information is used and any limits to confidentiality. Your consent should be sought wherever possible.
Read more about information sharing under the Act here: Information sharing under the Act | health.vic.gov.au
Read more about privacy here: Privacy
Read more about Consent and treatment here: Consenting to treatment | IMHA
Inpatient care information
Inpatient mental health care provides support when people need a higher level of care and safety. While in hospital, you should be involved in care planning, supported to understand what is happening, and treated with dignity and respect. The aim is to support recovery and plan for safe discharge.
Community and outpatient care information
Community and outpatient services provide support while you live at home or in the community. This may include appointments, outreach, therapy, and practical support. Care is focused on recovery, independence, and connection with everyday life.
What compulsory treatment means
Compulsory treatment means treatment is provided without your consent under the Mental Health Act, usually when there are serious concerns about safety. This is meant to be used only when necessary and for the shortest time possible. Even under compulsory treatment, your rights, dignity, and preferences must still be respected.
Read more about compulsory assessment and treatment here: Compulsory assessment and treatment | health.vic.gov.au
Read more about treatment orders, criteria, process, duration and your rights here: Treatment orders | health.vic.gov.au
Read more about what are compulsory treatment orders: What are compulsory treatment orders? | IMHA
How to raise concerns or give feedback
You have the right to raise concerns or provide feedback about your care. This can be done by speaking with your treating team, a manager, or a lived and living experience worker. Feedback helps services improve and should be taken seriously.
Read more about how to provide feedback at GV health: Feedback – GV Health
How to make a complaint or seek advocacy
If you are unhappy with your care, you can make a formal complaint through GV Health or seek independent advocacy support. Advocacy services can help you understand your rights, prepare complaints, and support you to have your concerns heard.
Read more about how to provide feedback at GV health: Feedback – GV Health
Read more about how to make a complaint to mental health and wellbeing commission here: Make a complaint | www.mhwc.vic.gov.au
Read more about your right and options if you want to make a complaint about your treatment: I want to make a complaint about my mental health service | IMHA
Read more about mental health tribunal’s complaints and feedback policy here: Complaints and feedback policy | Mental Health Tribunal
Information about lived and living experience support
Lived and Living Experience staff use their personal experience of mental health and services to provide support, understanding, and system insight. They can listen, help you understand your rights, support decision-making, and assist with navigating services.
Read more about lived and living experience workforce at GV Health here: Lived and Living Experience – GV Health
Cultural safety and inclusive care
GV Health is committed to providing culturally safe and inclusive mental health care. Services should respect your identity, background, beliefs, and experiences, and work in ways that feel safe and respectful for you.
Read more about cultural safety and inclusive care at GV health here: Patients and Visitors – GV Health
Read more about aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety here: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Read more about Aboriginal Support at GV health: Aboriginal Support – GV Health
Read more about disability liaison officer: Disability Liaison Officer – GV Health
Read more about language support at GV health: Language Support – GV Health
Read more about feeling safe when getting treatment here: I want to feel safe getting treatment | IMHA
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can access culturally appropriate mental health support. Services aim to work in partnership with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and respect connection to culture, family, and Country.
Read more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support at GV health here: Aboriginal Support – GV Health
Read more about national crisis support line 13 YARN for mob: 13YARN – Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Read more about NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization) here: Mental Health – NACCHO
Read more about headspace’s Yarn Safe support here: Yarn Safe | Mental Health for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders | headspace
Support for culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Support is available for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Services should be respectful of culture, language, and beliefs, and work to reduce barriers to care.
Read more about improving health and wellbeing for Victoria’s CALD communities here: Improving health and wellbeing for Victoria’s multicultural communities
Read more about VTMH (Victorian Transcultural Mental Health) services here: Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) | Home
Read more about Victoria’s Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and Blueprint here: Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and Blueprint | health.vic.gov.au
Interpreters and communication support
Interpreters and communication supports are available at no cost if you need them. You can request an interpreter to help you understand information and communicate clearly with staff.
Read more about a free library of Australian multilingual health and wellbeing information here:
Health Translations | Health Translations
Read more about language services policy and guidelines here: Language services policy and accompanying guidelines | health.vic.gov.au
Read more about working with interpreters here: Working with Interpreters | VTMH
Carer involvement (what consumers can choose)
You can choose how and whether carers, family, or supporters are involved in your care. Your preferences should be respected, and involvement should occur in ways that support your wellbeing and rights.
Read more about tandem (Victoria’s peak body for families, carers and supporters) here: Home
Read more about Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect (the connect centers) here: Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect | Better Health Channel
Read more about working with consumers and carers here: Working with consumers and carers
Read more about Carers Victoria here: Home page – Carers Victoria
Leaving hospital and ongoing supports
Planning for discharge should begin early and involve you. This includes arranging follow-up care, supports, and information to help you transition safely back into the community.
Read more about going home from hospital at GV Health here: Going Home from Hospital – GV Health
Emergency and crisis contacts
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. Crisis mental health support is also available through local mental health services and 24-hour helplines. Your GP or mental health service can help you find the right support.
- 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