Following the sudden defunding of the Latrobe Health Assembly and the 27 health programs it funds, The WES in Morwell is now also under threat of imminent closure, should no alternative funding streams become available.
On Thursday, 31 July, The WES team members, as well as representatives from the Latrobe Health Assembly and Wellways, attended a gathering that had the future of this vital and unique mental health service at its centre. Under the banner of Investing in The WES: Wellbeing & Emotional Support in Gippsland, passionate conversations were had on how this popular peer-led service can continue beyond the end of its funding cycle later this year.
Alongside Chair Tanya Rong, Latrobe Health Assembly CEO Ellen-Jane Browne spoke to the attendees about the embedded connection The WES has in the Latrobe Valley community, and that the region needs more, not less mental health supports.
“Our work here isn’t done. The Latrobe Valley still suffers from the most severe health conditions, with the highest rates of death from heart failure, some cancers and accidental falls in Australia, and some of the highest mental health conditions in Victoria and Australia. We don’t want to be the first on these lists.
In the context of health outcomes and the works of the assembly, it’s (The WES) is one of those shining lights, where it really demonstrates how community-led, community-informed and community-shaped solution to complex health problems to produce amazing outcomes. Outcomes which will prevent many young people from falling ill in the first place”, Ms Browne said.
Attendees heard directly from local community members, WES staff and peer support workers about the service’s impact and how it has supported more than 1,000 people in the valley and beyond over the past two years. The people receiving support would often never reach out to conventional services, especially when experiencing emotional distress, isolation, or the early signs of mental ill-health for the first time.
“I have been there from day one as a member of the Lived Experience Advisory Group that helped shape The WES. As a member of the group and the Gippsland community, I was disappointed, to say the least, when I heard that funding for this much-needed service is no longer continued.
However, being here today and feeling the support that we and the team here receive, has made me hopeful that The WES will continue its good work in providing support to people who otherwise might never reach out for help”, said Di Moody who is already exploring ways to identify new funding opportunities with her fellow advisory group members.
The WES, in its café-style atmosphere, is exactly that much-needed first entry door to help and support, all without referrals, waitlists, or judgement.
As part of the gathering, attendees had the opportunity to watch a recently produced video that captures the warm and welcoming atmosphere at The WES, while also giving a voice to guests and peer workers.
Following the video presentation, Laura Collister, CEO of mental health provider Wellways, which delivers The WES service, confirmed that she strongly believes in The WES and that operations ought to continue but that new funding streams are required to make this vision a reality.
“It is important to remember that, under the guidance of the Latrobe Health Assembly, The WES idea and concept came out of the community. All based on consultation and coproduction.
Perhaps, now is the right time to reach back out to community, to speak with the right people who have the means and connections and a passion for mental health, to get conversations started on how The WES can remain open”, Ms Collister said.
Ms Collister then invited attendees to contribute thoughts and ideas on how alternative funding opportunities or potential partnerships could help sustain the service into the future. Conversations focused on local investment, corporate sponsorship, and regional collaboration to address mental health needs early – before crisis hits.
Other attendees who joined the conversation included representatives from Lifeline Gippsland, Regional Development Victoria, the Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault, and Latrobe Regional Health.
The Latrobe Health Assembly and Wellways are now extending the conversations beyond Morwell to invite others in Gippsland to contribute ideas on how The WES can continue to operate with new funding from alternative sources.