Mental Health Cafe recognised as global front-runner in embracing innovation

A preliminary report being submitted to the World Government Summit published by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) places the Latrobe Health Assembly and Lifeline Gippsland’s upcoming Mental Health Café ‘at the forefront of efforts to promote mental health and wellbeing’.

Exploring innovation in global government, the report identifies worldwide trends, featuring the Mental Health Café under ‘New approaches to care’. Praising the strong governance and service model of the project, the case study shines a light on the co-design and community-based approach that capitalises on local strengths.

“What the Assembly does is unlike anything else in Australia. We’re always looking for a new approach – to challenge the status quo – and seeing that recognised on a global scale is truly something the Latrobe Valley should be proud of. When our community comes together, exceptional things happen,” comments Latrobe Health Assembly Chair, Tanya Rong.

Lifeline Gippsland will soon launch the Mental Health Café under a name created and selected by community members with lived experience. The Morwell-based initiative offers a welcoming space for locals to access out-of-hours emotional support at no cost, even offering free transport to the location from anywhere in Latrobe. Staffed by peer support workers and a mental health professional, the space aims to reduce emergency department presentations for non-emergency mental health issues.

Co-designed with local residents with lived experience, the space and what it offers is tailored to the specific needs of the Latrobe Valley community. The non-clinical environment allows for those who are experiencing emotional distress, or those who may be supporting someone who is, a safe place to seek support.

View the report here: https://oecd-opsi.org/publications/trends-2023/