From January 17, 2022 Wellways is providing non-clinical, life skills support to vulnerable people living with severe mental illness in Albury, Wodonga, Indigo, Towong, Alpine, Wangaratta, Benalla, Mansfield, Moira, Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie, Mitchell, Murrindindi, Buloke, Gannawarra, Swan Hill and Mildura (including Robinvale).

Murray Regional Manager Tegan Williams says the Murray PHN has backed the team to expand into a huge 11 new local government areas.

“We are focused on supporting people with severe mental illness to lead a meaningful life in the community and we’re looking forward to working with even more people to continue to build inclusive communities, where everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential.

“We all know the benefits of living in the community where you feel connected and like you belong. It makes a big difference to our wellbeing, which is why this program is so important.

“We’ll support people with anxiety through to trauma related disorders to manage their daily living needs, working with them to set goals to focus on hope rather than illness.”

Tegan says the program team is informed by lived experience of mental illness.

“We work with participants and their families to focus on hope rather than illness.

“Over the last few years that we've been running the service in the Goulburn Valley area with more than 200 participants. Moving forward, we want to support more 700 people across the Murray region.”