Residents of the Wimmera region are advocating for the establishment of a mental health facility in Horsham, seeking easier access to vital services closer to home. Experts highlight that the region suffers from some of the highest rates of mental health issues and suicides in Victoria, yet lacks an inpatient facility and adequate support services.
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Stacey Kelly, a Horsham mother who grapples with depression, anxiety, and depressive psychosis, shared her experiences of taking a five-hour trip by public transport to access mental health care in Ballarat. Since 2022, she has made this journey frequently, emphasizing the emotional and logistical burdens it places on her life. "I [travel to Ballarat] because I wish to be alive. It takes a whole day to go and have the treatment and come home again," Kelly stated. She expressed a desire for a local facility to alleviate the disruption to her daily life and support system.
The Horsham Rural City Council is advocating for a 24/7 mental health facility, addressing concerns that residents lack access to around-the-clock care. Mayor Brian Klowss noted that Horsham is the largest population center in the region but lacks a local inpatient unit. Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis after hours often cannot receive immediate help at the Wimmera Base Hospital, where no qualified personnel are available to assist. Instead, they may be directed to a telephone triage service in Ballarat.
Approximately 400 people from the Wimmera are transported to Ballarat Hospital each year for mental health issues, illustrating a significant local need. Klowss remarked, "I think we've just been left out of the mix … There’s a real, genuine need for this service."
Data reveals alarming trends; a report from the Western Victorian Primary Health Network indicated that mental health-related emergency department presentations in Horsham are 2.15 times higher than the state’s average, with avoidable deaths due to suicide and self-inflicted injuries also exceeding state averages over the past five years.
Mental Health Victoria’s CEO, Phillipa Thomas, stressed that the disparities in mental health services across the state cannot be overlooked, as certain areas in the Wimmera face exceptionally high rates of distress. Member for Lowan and shadow minister for mental health, Emma Kealy, alongside other advocates, pointed out the significant gaps in mental health accessibility in the region.
Uniting Vic.Tas Head of Mental Health Linsie Davies highlighted the detrimental effects of treatment delays on individuals and families, noting that many suffer severe losses and even death when they fall through the cracks of the existing system.
Currently, Grampians Health has no plans to create a 24/7 inpatient facility in Horsham. A spokesperson for the Victorian government stated that individuals in the area can access crisis assessments and support through the Grampians Mental Health and Wellbeing service.