Inpatient Mental Health Care — Wanyarra
Wanyarra is our acute psychiatric inpatient unit, located at GV Health’s Graham Street campus in Shepparton. It provides a safe, supportive place to stay for people who need a higher level of care and support during a difficult time with their mental health.
When you come to Wanyarra, you are looked after by a team who work with you – not just for you. You will be involved in decisions about your care, supported to understand what is happening, and treated with dignity and respect. The goal of your stay is to help you feel safer and more settled, support your recovery, and plan for you to return home when you are ready.
Families, carers and people important to you are welcomed and encouraged to be part of your care, with your consent.
Who is Wanyarra for?
Wanyarra provides specialist mental health treatment and care for people aged 16 years and over who live in the Goulburn Valley and Lower Hume areas.
People usually come to Wanyarra when they are experiencing a period of significant mental health distress and need more support and safety than can be provided at home or in the community. This might include times when:
- mental health symptoms have become overwhelming or hard to manage
- there are concerns about your safety or the safety of others
- a short stay in hospital can help stabilise things and plan the next steps in your care.
Whether you come to Wanyarra is decided together with you and the mental health team, based on your needs, safety and what will help most at the time.
Mental health care in Victoria is provided under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022. This law is built around supporting your recovery, involving you in decisions about your care, and using the least restrictive options possible. You have the right to be heard, to be informed, and to have the people who matter to you involved.
This page explains your rights and the choices available to you, and points you to trusted Victorian services that can support you to understand and use them. You never have to work through these things on your own – support is always available.
What is Wanyarra like?
Wanyarra is a 20-bed unit that cares for adults and older people in an open ward environment. It is designed to feel calm, safe and welcoming.
During your stay you will have your own space to rest, as well as shared areas where you can spend time, take part in activities and connect with others. There are quiet spaces, communal areas and access to an outdoor garden.
Our aim is to provide care in a way that feels respectful and supportive, and that recognises your experiences – including any past trauma and what matters most to you.
What happens during my stay?
When you arrive, a member of the team will welcome you, help you settle in and explain how the unit works.
Every person at Wanyarra is allocated a psychiatrist when they are admitted. Your psychiatrist and treating team will work with you to understand what is happening and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to you.
Your care may include:
- a safe space to rest and recover
- mental health assessment and treatment planning
- medication review and treatment
- individual support and time to talk
- a group program and activities
- support from allied health, such as occupational therapy and psychology
- help to understand your experiences, triggers and needs
- support to build coping strategies for when you go home
- links to community mental health teams and other supports.
Care is collaborative. You are involved in decisions about your treatment, care and recovery, and you can have someone you trust with you when these are discussed.
Who works in the unit?
You may be supported by a range of staff who work together as a team, including:
- consultant psychiatrists
- medical officers
- psychiatric (mental health) nurses
- occupational therapists
- psychologists
- lived and living experience workers
- allied health and support staff.
The team works alongside you, your family and carers to support your recovery.
What should I bring?
It helps to bring:
- comfortable, everyday clothing and personal toiletries
- any medications you are currently taking, in their original packaging
- a small amount of essentials for your stay.
We recommend leaving valuables and large amounts of money at home. To keep everyone safe, some items are not permitted on the ward. Staff can talk with you about secure storage and answer any questions when you arrive.
Visiting, phones and staying connected
Staying connected with the people who matter to you is an important part of recovery.
- Family, carers and friends are welcome to visit. Staff can explain current visiting times and arrangements.
- You can contact people by phone, and you can generally use your own mobile phone unless your psychiatrist has discussed a reason not to.
- To protect everyone’s privacy, please do not take photos, videos or recordings on the ward.
If you have questions about visiting or staying in touch, please ask a staff member.
What are my rights while I'm here?
Your rights are respected throughout your stay. Care at Wanyarra is provided under Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, which is designed to protect your rights, dignity and autonomy.
This means you have the right to:
- be treated with respect and involved in decisions about your care
- receive information about your treatment in a way you understand
- have a nominated support person and an advance statement of preferences, so your wishes are known and respected
- have family, carers or a trusted person involved, if you choose
- access free, independent advocacy through Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
- ask for a second psychiatric opinion at any time
- access an interpreter if you need one.
Staff can explain your rights and help you access support to have your voice heard. You do not have to manage this on your own.
How can families and carers be involved?
Families, carers and trusted people play an important role in recovery, and they are welcomed at Wanyarra.
With your consent, the team can:
- involve your family, carers or trusted people in your care and planning
- keep them informed and answer their questions
- explain ward processes and visiting arrangements
- include them in meetings and discharge planning
- connect them with carer support and information.
Carers can also raise questions or concerns with staff at any time. Your privacy, consent and choices are always respected.
How do people come to Wanyarra?
Wanyarra is not a self-referral service, and it is not somewhere you attend for an appointment.
Access to mental health services across the region is arranged through a central Mental Health Triage service:
Mental Health Triage
1300 369 005
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
When you call, a trained mental health clinician will talk with you, offer advice and help work out what support is needed. If a stay at Wanyarra is the right option, the team will help arrange this.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.
What happens when I'm ready to leave?
Planning for you to return home safely begins early in your stay.
Before you leave, the team will work with you and, with your consent, your family or carers — to:
- review how you are feeling and what has helped
- put a plan in place for your ongoing care and support
- arrange follow-up with community mental health teams or other services
- talk through coping strategies and what to do if things become difficult again.
You may also be connected with community supports and step up / step down programs, provided in partnership with community organisations, to support your recovery after your stay.
Resources and useful links
GV Health Mental Health Triage
24-hour advice, support and access to services
1300 369 005
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
Free, independent advocacy for people receiving compulsory mental health treatment
Victoria Legal Aid — Mental health and your rights
Information about your rights under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-your-rights
Second Psychiatric Opinion Service
Free and independent second psychiatric opinions
1300 503 426
https://www.secondopinion.org.au/
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
Advocacy and information for people with lived experience of mental health challenges
Tandem
Support, information and advocacy for families and carers of people experiencing mental health challenges
https://www.tandemcarers.org.au/
Carer Gateway
Australia-wide support and services for carers
1800 422 737
https://www.carergateway.gov.au/
Beyond Blue
Mental health information and support
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
SANE Australia
Support for people affected by complex mental health issues, and their families and friends
Lifeline
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention
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