Raglan St drop-in counselling service to remain open this weekend

Published on 10 November 2023

Central Highlands Rural Health’s drop-in counselling service in Daylesford will remain open over the weekend to continue providing free mental health support for anyone impacted by the recent accident.

The drop-in centre will be open on Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Counsellors will be available at 79a Raglan Street to help anyone directly or indirectly affected by the events including members of the Daylesford community and visitors to the town.

To date, the drop-in counselling service has spoken with nearly 50 people seeking mental health support through its phone service and in-person counsellors at 79a Raglan Street. In addition, the Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministry and Red Cross have had more than 200 community interactions per day to ensure the Daylesford community has multiple ways of accessing support.

For anyone unable to access the drop-in centre, other free counselling services are available. Please contact one of the following organisations, where appropriate:

From Monday, November 13 the drop-in counselling centre will cease with enquiries to be directed to The Daylesford Community Health Centre or one of the partner mental wellbeing agencies.

For more information, please phone Central Highlands Rural Health on (03) 5321 6551 or visit Daylesford Community Health at 13 Hospital St, Daylesford.

Quotes from Shane Richardson, Operations Manager – Community Health & Wellbeing at Central Highlands Rural Health

“We’re extremely appreciative of the support provided by neighbouring mental health services as we work together to support the community. Who, despite overwhelming grief and sadness, has not hesitated to engage with the services being provided. We’re encouraged by this and we would encourage more people to do the same.”

“We have male and female counsellors that you can speak with, so if you’re feeling like you need to talk with someone, please come in. Importantly, when the community is ready, we will be here; today, tomorrow, next week, month or year, we’ll be here to ensure they have access to vital mental health and wellbeing services when they are ready and need care.”

About the Daylesford Interagency Response Group

The Daylesford Interagency Response Group has been established to coordinate mental health and counselling services for the Daylesford community and beyond. The group comprises representatives from Hepburn Shire Council, Central Highlands Rural Health, Uniting Vic Tas, Ballarat Community Health, Springs Medical, Grampians Health, Western Victoria Primary Health Network, Victoria Police and the Department of Health.