At the Connect Centre we offer support to you; the family, carers, supporters, and kin of people with mental health and/or substance use challenges. The Connect Centre has been co-designed with and is staffed by people who have lived or living experience as a family member or carer of someone with mental health and/or substance use challenges.
Our centres offer a safe, welcoming space to connect with our team, seek assistance, or simply enjoy some quiet time. We have multiple sites across the region, with a main centre in Dandenong.
Support we provide
We offer:
- Phone support on 9066 1500 – Monday to Friday 9:30am-4:30pm
- Drop-in sites
- One-to-one peer support (in person or via phone)
- Group programs
- Educational sessions
- Therapeutic support, including family work
- Cultural support
- Access to information and resources
Come and drop-in
Drop-in days provide family members, carers, friends, and supporters with access to information, peer support, and the opportunity to relax and take a break.
No referral or appointment is needed; you can just drop in when it suits you.
Carer Testimonials
“ Thank you so much for both the support you both gave by holding space for me last Friday, I hadn’t realised how much I needed it until afterward. The best part was talking with someone that has been through the experience so there was that grounding/understanding without me needing to feel like there was something ‘wrong’ with me and/or justify where I am at in life or the things that I am or are not achieving – what I mean is, how I feel is natural and understandable given all that is going on and I ought to give myself some compassion and grace for this. ”
Carer name withheld
“ Thankyou for being here. I don’t know what I would do without you all. This time last year I was in a very different space. You literally saved my life, you have no idea. ”
Carer name withheld.
Locations
Dandenong – Main centre
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect – South East Metro
51 Robinson St, Dandenong
Monday to Friday: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Pakenham
Pakenham Library – Cnr John St and Henry St, Pakenham
Monday (fortnightly): 10am – 3pm
Mornington Peninsula
Rotating monthly on Thursdays:
- Capel Sound Community Hub, Capel Sound: First Thursday of the month 10 am – 4pm
- Wallaroo Community House, Hastings: Second Thursday of the month 10am – 4pm
- Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House, Mount Eliza: Fourth Thursday of the month 10am – 4pm
South Melbourne
BHN South Melbourne, Tom Hills Room
341 Coventry St, South Melbourne
Fridays: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Our partners
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre South East Metro is a collaboration between Better Health Network (BHN), the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) and Berry Street’s Take Two Program.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre in the South East Metro is supported by the Victorian Government.
For more information view our service brochure.
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