Communities across regional Victoria heavily impacted by the January 2026 bushfires will now receive expanded mental health and wellbeing support through a collaborative recovery response supported by the Australian and Victorian Governments and delivered in partnership with locally trusted organisations.
Delivered through Wellways-led Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, alongside partners including Gateway Health, Yea & District Memorial Hospital and Alexandra District Health, the expansion will provide free and flexible support to Mitchell, Murrindindi and Towong Shires including counselling, peer support and practical assistance navigating the ongoing impacts of disaster and recovery.
Support where needed most
General Manager of Wellways-led Local Services Cat Hunt said the expanded support will help improve access to care in communities where distance, isolation and ongoing recovery pressures can create barriers to seeking help.
“We welcome this support and recognise it comes at a time when many communities are carrying far more than the impact of January’s fires alone. For people living in these regions, recovery is compounded by floods, fires and the cumulative weight of repeated disruption to home, livelihood and community.
“This expansion allows us to reach more people with free, flexible support that continues over time. Alongside local partners who know these communities deeply, we will provide counselling, peer support and practical assistance delivered in ways that meet people where they are.”
– Cat Hunt, General Manager of Wellways-led Local Services
Ms Hunt said recovery is built through connection, trust and community presence as much as formal services.
“Mental health support doesn’t only happen in offices or health services. Sometimes it’s a conversation over the farm gate, a familiar face at the local footy club, or support that begins somewhere completely unexpected.
“We know connection and community are central to recovery, and we are committed to supporting both.”
Residents across Mitchell, Murrindindi and Towong Shires can now access free telehealth support, with outreach and face-to-face services to be progressively rolled out across affected communities in the coming months.
How to access support
Telehealth is now open in the following locations:
- Towong Shire residents can now access support by calling 1800 000 842 (Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Wangaratta)
- Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires residents can now access support by calling 1300 000 559 (Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Shepparton)
Community at the heart of recovery
The announcement comes as regional Victorian communities continue to recover from the January 2026 bushfires, which destroyed more than 215 homes in Murrindindi Shire alone and left many people facing ongoing stress, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion alongside the practical challenges of rebuilding.
Ms Hunt acknowledged the resilience already being shown across affected communities, as well as the vital role of local organisations already supporting recovery efforts.
“These communities continue to show up for each other—from neighbours checking in to local services holding the line—and reflect the quiet strength that defines regional communities in times of hardship.
“We are deeply grateful to the organisations already supporting recovery and honoured to work alongside them, complementing and extending the work already underway.”
– Cat Hunt, General Manager of Wellways-led Local Services
Working together to improve access
Gateway Health General Manager Mental Health and Wellbeing Alana Pund said locally connected partnerships are critical to ensuring support is accessible, practical and responsive to community need.
“The Upper Murray community has been through a great deal and, while the immediate crisis may have passed, recovery is still very much ongoing. People can experience stress, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion long after an event, which is why accessible mental health and wellbeing support matters so much.”
“This approach allows services to respond in ways that are practical, connected and community-based, and that only works when organisations genuinely partner around local need.”
Yea & District Memorial Hospital CEO Elizabeth Sinclair also welcomed the partnership and expanded support.
“We know how important it is that support is accessible and tailored to community needs, and we are committed to a collaborative approach to ensure services reflect what people need.
“These additional resources are greatly valued, and we are eager to move as quickly as possible to ensure support is available where and when it is needed most.”
Mental Health and Wellbeing Local
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Shepparton has expanded services into the Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires until June 2027 in partnership with Yea & District Memorial Hospital and Alexandra District Health. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield has also expanded services into Towong Shire until June 2027 in partnership with Gateway Health. These expansions support bushfire-affected communities and are funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.