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Jesuit Social Services is excited to operate the Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect program in Melbourne’s West. Located in Sunshine, our Connect Centre offers a warm and welcoming space for family, carers, kin and supporters of all ages and backgrounds.

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (2021) highlighted the important role played by family, carers, kin and supporters in contributing to the wellbeing of people who are experiencing mental health challenges, psychological distress, mental illness, or substance use issues. To better recognise and support families, carers and supporters, Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centres are being established in each Victorian region.

A Department of Health funded program – Jesuit Social Services’ Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect offers a range of supports including information, resources, counselling, individual support, and group programs to those who care for others with mental health and substance use issues.

We’re committed to engaging with and employing people with lived experience. Our staff are people who have been through it and understand what it takes to support a loved one with these challenges.

There’s no need for a referral and getting in touch with us is as simple as picking up the phone or sending an email. You’re there for them, let us be there for you.

What we offer

The Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre offers the following services to family members and carers who support someone with a mental health and/or substance use issue:

  • Information and resources
  • Individual support
  • Counselling
  • Group programs
  • Referrals
  • Assistance to access other support services

We offer these services:

  • Face-to-face – on site in our Connect Centre in Sunshine
  • In the community – outreaching across Western Metro Melbourne
  • And via telehealth – over the phone or video calling

All services are free of charge and don’t require a referral or Medicare.

All of our program staff identify with having lived or living experience as a family member or carer of someone with a mental health and/or substance use issue. No matter who you connect with you’ll be speaking with someone who understands what it’s like to care for someone with complex needs. We understand and we get it.

It's the people who work here, they've experienced it, they've lived with it. They could give me theory, I can read books, there's heaps of material out there, but it does not match up to that experience. People out here know how you feel, they are empathic. It's that experience that makes the difference.


Calvin

Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect participant


Connect Centre

The Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre is located in Sunshine, Victoria. The Connect Centre offers:

  • A warm and welcoming environment
  • Safe spaces for counselling and support sessions
  • A group activity room
  • A space to relax
  • Kid’s corner
  • Beautiful garden
  • Opportunities to connect with lived experience staff and other carers

Walk-ins are welcomed.

Can’t make it into the Centre? Outreach is available. Get in touch with us to discuss how we can come to you in Melbourne’s West.

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Address:
20 Hertford Road, Sunshine

Parking: available on site, carpark accessed via George Street

Public Transport:
Train – the closest train station is Sunshine on the Sunbury line approximately 1km away
Bus – Bus 408 (St Albans Station – Highpoint SC via Sunshine Station) stops outside the Connect Centre

Get in touch with us

Address: 20 Herford Road, Sunshine
Call: 0429 564 269
Email: WesternMHWConnect@jss.org.au
Interpreting services available

Opening hours
  • Mon 9am – 5pm
  • Tues 9am – 9pm
  • Weds 9am – 5pm
  • Thurs 9am – 9pm
  • Fri 9am – 5pm
  • Sat 10am – 4pm

For more information

For more information about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres please visit the Better Health Channel website here and Tandem website here.

For crisis and out-of-hours support, please consider contacting the following:

  • Lifeline, 13 11 14
  • Suicide Callback Service, 1300 659 467
  • Carers Victoria Advice Line, 1800 514 845
  • Family Drug Support, 1300 368 186