The Blueprint for Better Health is the first step in the development of a local response and plan for mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and suicide prevention in the central and north western region of Melbourne.
It maps what is working, and what isn’t, according to those with direct experience of mental illness and related support services. Like the first drawings for a building, this Blueprint is the basis for a more detailed set of plans.
Engagement and participation from a broad range of groups, providers and individuals was crucial to developing a Blueprint that reflects the needs and experiences of communities and provided insights to the human impact of our mental health system. Almost 700 people were consulted, including people with lived experience, and their carers and clinicians, through social media, surveys, focus groups, workshops and interviews.
The development of the Blueprint has also been informed and guided by a reference group of expert advisors from mental health consumer and carer groups and professional peak bodies, and included input from a Local Hospital Network group with representatives from each of the region’s hospitals that have a mental health service. Through this process, five opportunities for improving the health system were identified. These will now be further developed to inform action through the development of a comprehensive services plan.
What’s next?
The Blueprint coordinators now want as many people from the north western Melbourne community as possible to provide feedback and get involved in the next stage of planning. We encourage you to read the Blueprint, share it among your networks and provide feedback.
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network will continue to work with stakeholders to use what has been heard from the community to develop an action plan in 2021. This will include considering the outcomes from the Victorian Government’s Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
How to get involved
Community members and service providers are encouraged to provide feedback and express interest in being involved in the next stage. For more information, links and to read the plan go to Blueprint for Health.
Outlook Community Centre, our base for the Casey/Cardinia Aged Care Navigator program – Dementia Café
