Labor is making it easier for Victorians to access free mental health care, when and where they need it.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today officially opened the Maroondah Mental Health and Wellbeing Local site in Ringwood.
The statewide network of Locals provides support and treatment for adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress.
Importantly, to access care at a Local - you don't need a Medicare card or GP referral and services are completely free.
Locals act as a 'front door' to the system making them an important tool in early intervention.
The network of Locals has already helped almost 50,000 Victorians.
Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals, wellbeing staff and peer support workers.
The Maroondah local will provide communities in Melbourne's east with a range of clinical and wellbeing mental health supports, both in-person and via telehealth.
The service is one of 22 Locals operating across 24 locations statewide.
Services in Ringwood are delivered by Wellways in partnership with Eastern Health, Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation and AccessHC.
Located at 46 New Street Ringwood, the Maroondah Local is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
The Locals network is a flagship initiative of the Carroll Labor Government in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System.
In the 2025/26 Budget Labor has invested $34.4 million to strengthen the network and establish seven new locations across Victoria.
With a $40 billion cuts plan, Jess Wilson's Liberal One Nation Coalition will close these services down and make it harder for Victorians to get the mental health support they need.
For more information, visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"Our network of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals is transforming access to care for Victorians - Maroondah locals can now get the support they need, close to home."
"Almost 50,000 Victorians have already turned to a Local for support, showing just how important these services are."
As stated by the Member for North Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane
"The new Maroondah Mental Health and Wellbeing Local will mean our community in the eastern suburbs can access even more free care in a supportive and welcoming environment."
