Linda’s story - How the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs have helped me

Linda says she doesn’t know where she would be without the support of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub.

The 34-year-old from Melbourne’s northern suburbs has accessed a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub several times since 2022. The Hubs, funded by the Victorian government since 2021, act as a ‘front door’ service to the mental health system, to provide Victorians of all ages with faster access to mental health support.

Prior to being referred to a Hub, Linda had unsatisfactory experiences seeking mental health support through Emergency Departments and her local Area Mental Health team.

“I reached out to Mind and it was amazing. At the time I couldn’t leave the house because of my Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Hub and my support worker Tarsha helped me navigate that and get me back to an essence of normal,” Linda said.

“The Hub helped me get out of the house, start doing things again and getting over some of the fears that I had. They made me realise that things are going to get better and sure enough they did.”

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs provide short-term psychosocial support without a waitlist. Their qualified and experienced practitioners support people to manage their mental health and wellbeing by providing a holistic and recovery-oriented approach to overcoming their challenges. Support is available over-the-phone or in-person.

Linda accessed a Hub for a second time following a decline in her health and becoming homeless. She says re-connecting with a service that had previously helped her, and having the same support worker – Tarsha – each time, were hugely beneficial toward her recovery.

“I didn’t have to constantly explain myself – Tarsha knew me and my situation. Tarsha was so helpful for me. There were times I couldn’t do things for myself, but she helped me rebuild my life and get back into studying,” Linda said.

“Tarsha helped me link in with other services and to navigate one of the most challenging times of my life; I was learning to live with seizures, I had just been diagnosed with a Functional Neurological Disorder and I needed to apply for a Disability Support Pension (DSP). Tarsha made life a lot easier, she helped me apply for a DSP and even found a place for my animal to live – I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Linda said Tarsha has helped her acknowledge when she is in survival mode, and to take the time to enjoy life and her passions. 

“Things do get chaotic, and there are times when I do go into survival mode. But Tarsha is good at grounding me and saying ‘OK, now that you can breathe, what are you going to do to support yourself?’”