The Andrews Labor Government has announced the recipients of the next round of the Diverse Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Grants.
The grants will support communities such as culturally and linguistically diverse groups, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability – helping strengthen community connections, promote mental health literacy and provide better pathways to the mental health system.
The grantsare part of the Labor Government’s $9.6 million investment over four years to establish a flexible funding pool for diverse community organisations and peak bodies.
People in diverse communities are often at greater risk of mental health challenges and may have trouble navigating and accessing inclusive, responsive and culturally safe services. These grants will ensure diverse community-led organisations are supported to deliver mental health services and programs for their communities.
The grants ensure Victorians from diverse communities are part of Victoria’s mental health reforms and the system includes people with lived experience at its heart – a key recommendation of the Royal Commission. Organisations receiving grants in this round are:
- Afri-Aus Care Inc
- African Australian Welfare Bureau Inc
- Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights
- Australian Vietnamese Women's Association
- Centre for Muslim Wellbeing
- Cerebral Palsy Support Network
- CULTURA
- Disability Resources Centre
- Drummond Street Services
- Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
- Guide Dogs Victoria
- Yellow Ladybugs
- inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
- Koorie Pride
- Korin Gamadji Institute & Bachar Houli Foundation
- Minus18
- Multicultural Centre for Women's Health
- National Disability Services Australia & Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID)
- Podium Magazine Inc
- The Australian African Sports Association
- Thorne Harbour Health
- Wellsprings for Women
The Victorian mental health and wellbeing system is being reformed, with progress underway on more than 90 per cent of Royal Commission recommendations.
The next round of the Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants will open in mid-2023.
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Mental Health Colin Brooks
“We’re proud of our diversity and we want to make sure that people from diverse communities with lived experience are part of designing a system that works for all Victorians.”
“The Royal Commission recognised the strength and knowledge of diverse community leaders in both understanding the needs of their communities and helping them access the services they need.”
Reviewed 28 October 2022