Mental Health and Wellbeing: Useful Links
Government partners and statutory authorities
Department of Human Services
DHS – Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy 2009-2019
Because mental health matters – Victorian mental health reform strategy 2009-2019 is a ten-year plan for mental health in Victoria that focuses on prevention, early intervention, recovery and social inclusion.
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/reformstrategy/index.htm
DHS – Mental Health and Drug Division
Access to information, programs and services that promote mental health and wellbeing and prevent and reduce the harm and disadvantage associated with mental illness and substance use.
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/mhd/
DHS – Social Policy Branch
Access point to Koori Human Services, the Diversity Unit and the Social Policy Unit and related publications.
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/pdpd/html/soc_policy.htm#social
DHS – Rural and Regional Health Aged Care Services
Gateway to the Primary Health Branch that is responsible for state-wide policy development, planning, funding and monitoring for primary health programs and initiatives.
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/rrhacs/home
DHS – Neighbourhood Renewal
Neighbourhood Renewal was created by the Victorian Government and its partners to alleviate disadvantaged communities in Victoria. This is achieved through building communities using a social justice orientation and a simple and practical framework of action.
http://www.neighbourhoodrenewal.vic.gov.au/
DHS – Office of Housing
The Office of Housing provides access to information on programs and services that ensure communities have access to secure, affordable and appropriate housing.
http://www.housing.vic.gov.au/
Department of Premier and Cabinet
DPC – Arts Victoria
The State Government body responsible for arts policy in Victoria and building community networks and partnerships through arts-based projects. Access to joint Arts Victoria and VicHealth publications such as Evaluating Community Arts and Community Wellbeing.
http://www.arts.vic.gov.au/content/Public/Home.aspx
DPC – Social Policy
The Social Policy Branch provides advice to the Premier on a wide range of social policy issues.
http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au
Other Departments
Department of Planning and Community Development
DPCD aims to lead and support the development of liveable communities. Access to important publications such as A Fairer Victoria 2009: Standing together through tough times.
http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Focus on ensuring all young Victorians have equal access to health including support for refugee families with young children and information and resources on mental health promotion for young Victorians.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/health/mentalhealth.htm
Department of Health and Ageing
Australian Government website for information and resources on health issues such as mental health promotion.
http://www.health.gov.au
Statutory authorities
Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (VHREOC)
VHREOC reports to the Parliament of Victoria on human rights issues and administers the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 and the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 and The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.
http://www.equalopportunitycommission.vic.gov.au/home.asp
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
VMC works to foster harmony and the full participation of Victoria’s ethnic communities in the social, economic and cultural life of our community.
http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au
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International partners
World Health Organization
WHO is an internationally recognised organisation that provides information and resources on health promotion, including a section dedicated to mental health and substance abuse.
http://www.who.int/mental_health/
World Federation for Mental Health
Founded in 1948, this organisation has international members in more than 100 countries. This website provides information on a global scale about mental health research, policy and services.
http://www.wfmh.org/
Carter Center
The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, provides information and research findings. Founded in 1982 by former US President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter the Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 70 countries.
http://cartercenter.com/homepage.html
Clifford Beers Foundation
Established in 1996 as the original UK charity devoted to the promotion of mental health.
http://www.cliffordbeersfoundation.co.uk/
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National partners
Australia Council
The Australia Council is a national arts organisation providing funding for artists and art organisations working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, community partnerships, dance, literature, music, theatre, visual arts and multi-artform practices.
http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/
beyondblue
A national depression initiative established in 2000 to create a community response to mental illness.This organisation, with associated partners, aims to raise community awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
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Research partners
Deakin University
Deakin University and VicHealth have a strong partnership, especially around the area of research to improve the quality of life for socially disadvantaged and marginalised people.
https://www.deakin.edu.au/hmnbs/cmhwbr/welcome.php
La Trobe University – Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society
VicHealth has had a major investment in this organisation since its establishment in 1990. The Centre undertakes social research and training into the areas of sex, sexuality, their place in society and their relationship to health.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/
La Trobe University – Mother and Child Health Research
Mother and Child Health Research (MCHR) is a multidisciplinary public health research centre and was established in 1991 by VicHealth and is auspiced by Latrobe University (after initially being auspiced by Monash University). MCHR has built a strong program of research addressing issues of major public health importance to mothers and children.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/mchr/
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute discovers ways to prevent and treat conditions affecting babies, children and adolescents, helping them lead happy, healthy lives.
http://www.mcri.edu.au/
Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit
The Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit was established in 1999 is located within the School of Population Health’s Centre for Health and Society in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Onemda leads an integrated academic program in Indigenous health with three main areas of focus: research, community development and teaching and learning. The Unit is supported by VicHealth and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing through the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH).
http://www.onemda.unimelb.edu.au/
ORYGEN Youth Health
ORYGEN is a youth mental health service that combines holistic clinical service delivery, research and mental health promotion activities.
http://oyh.org.au/
Swinburne University of Technology
Established in 2001, the Centre for Business, Work and Aging undertakes projects that aim to prolong working lives through organisational policy making and interventions supporting older workers’ health and wellbeing.
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/business/businessworkageing/
McCaughey Centre, VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing
The McCaughey Centre is auspiced by the University of Melbourne. The Centre researches the social and economic determinants of health to improve social and health equity.
http://www.mccaugheycentre.unimelb.edu.au/
The University of Melbourne – Key Centre for Women's Health in Society
The Key Centre for Women's Health in Society, since its foundation in 1988, has been at the forefront of thinking, researching, teaching and disseminating information about women's health.
http://www.kcwh.unimelb.edu.au/
The University of Melbourne – School of Population Health
The School of Population Health provides teaching programs, research in health promotion and collaborations and involvement in public health policy and practice. The research includes Indigenous health and international public health.
http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au/
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Social Connection funded projects
Catholic Education Office Melbourne
VicHealth funds the schools as core social centres project at the Catholic Education Office Melbourne.
http://www.ceo.melb.catholic.edu.au/
Horn of Africa Communities Network
This network was established to assist refugees from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan to settle in Australia. These refugees may have experienced forms of torture, or extensive periods of living in fear and this trauma experience frequently results in significant mental health issues. The network is designed to provide support for these refugees.
http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/
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Violence Against Women funded projects
Preventing Violence Against Women Scheme – Phase II
City of Darebin
The project, ‘Darebin Interfaith Council Taking Responsibility: Reducing violence against women’ aims to provide faith leaders with the tools to raise awareness and understanding of issues related to preventing violence against women in their communities.
http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/
Domestic Violence Resource Centre
The project is aimed at youth violence prevention and was established to provide school and local community workers with knowledge and skills in delivering youth violence prevention programs.
http://www.dvirc.org.au/
Maribyrnong City Council
A three year project called ‘Gender Local Governance and Violence Prevention’ aims to develop strategies at a local government level to help prevent violence against women.
http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/
Whitehorse Community Health Service Inc
This project, ‘And Baby Makes Three – Promoting Safety and Wellbeing Among New Families’ is based around building existing partnerships to engage with first time fathers to focus on creating safe environments.
http://www.wchs.org.au/
Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service
This state-wide media advocacy project aims to support women who have experienced violence and to work with organisations to change attitudes and perceptions in the community about violence against women.
http://www.wdvcs.org.au/
Women's Health Victoria Inc
The project, ‘Working Together against Violence’ is a partnership between Linfox and Women’s Health Victoria to develop and implement organisational policies and programs that are designed to prevent violence against women.
http://www.whv.org.au/what-we-do/violence-against-women
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Discrimination funded projects
Cultural Development Network
Cultural Development Network is an independent non-profit organisation that links communities, artists and local councils throughout Victoria to build healthier communities that are more socially connected.
http://www.culturaldevelopment.net.au/
The Black Arm Band
An Australian Indigenous collaborative group that aims to develop, perform and celebrate contemporary Australian Indigenous music as a symbol of resilience and hope in the spirit and action of reconciliation.
http://www.blackarmband.com.au/
Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture
This foundation provides resources and support for refugee backgrounds that have survived torture or war-related trauma.
http://www.survivorsvic.org.au/home/index.htm
Brotherhood of St Laurence – Indigenous Leadership Fellowship
The Brotherhood of St Laurence is dedicated to provide support for Indigenous Australians and to help in achieving reconciliation.
http://www.bsl.org.au
Building Bridges Scheme – Phase II
Maribyrnong City Council
Cultural Games is an initiative by Maribyrnong City Council. Phase II of Cultural Games will incorporate more schools and parents to help raise awareness about the impact of racism and encourage relationships across cultures.
http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
Melbourne Citymission Inc
A Victorian organisation that works with some of the state’s most disadvantaged communities and provides access and support to resources to help overcome barriers and help with social connectedness.
http://www.melbournecitymission.org.au/
South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre
A non profit organisation that provides services to all migrants and refugees living in the South Eastern region of Melbourne.
http://www.sermrc.org.au/
Victorian Arabic Social Services
Established in 1986, VASS is a network to support Arabic communities across Victoria.
http://www.vass.org.au/
Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture Inc
This foundation provides resources and support for those with refugee backgrounds that have survived torture or war related trauma.
http://www.survivorsvic.org.au/home/index.htm
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Economic Participation funded projects
Ganbina: Koorie Economic Employment Training Agency
Ganbina is a peak Indigenous representative body in Australia for economic employment and training issues.
http://www.ganbina.com
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Health Inequalities funded projects
Rumbalara Football/Netball Club
Providing more than just sporting services, the club also facilitates wellbeing within the community and enriches the lives of the communities’ Indigenous and non indigenous people. Is also the cultural home of Goulburn Valley’s Indigenous community.
http://www.rumba.org.au/