MAVlab Innovation Talks #9: Prevention through connection - Council-led wellbeing initiatives

[Online] This Mental Health Month, we’re highlighting the important – often invisible – work being done by local councils to lay the groundwork for better mental health and wellbeing in our communities.

As part of our Leading Healthy Communities partnership with VicHealth, MAVlab Innovation Talks is spotlighting two Victorian councils with place-based approaches to mental wellbeing and social connection.

• Wyndham City Council’s Community Connectors program brings a dedicated team of Community Connectors into the community to support residents, their carers and those that work and play in Wyndham access and navigate local services and support. By improving service connection, the program helps build a more informed, connected, and supported community.
• The Grit and Resilience Program from the Rural City of Wangaratta, started as a wellbeing and support program to address the reasons and ongoing impacts of suicide in their community. It has now morphed into the Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG), taking a community-led approach to improving wellbeing and support for those in the Wangaratta municipality. By mobilising local groups to foster strength, courage, and connection, the program aims to build lasting, self-sustaining networks of support.

Join us to hear how these programs are working on the ground, what’s been learned along the way, and how local councils can play a quiet but powerful role in improving mental health outcomes through community connection.