Mental Health Services
Ballarat Community Health provides a wide range of mental health programs and services, including professional and peer support. We recognise that much like our own physical health; our mental wellbeing is dynamic and changeable and its often confusing to navigate the system.
We endeavour to offer a ‘no wrong door’ approach to find the right fit for you. Engaging with our services could help enable you to live a more meaningful and abundant life.
Mental Health Referral Form
If it’s an emergency or you need urgent help call triple zero (000).
Mental Health Services
Contact
Phone (03) 5338 4500
For general enquiries please email
For referrals please complete the form on this page
Head to Health
This program offers up to 6-months support for anyone experiencing mental health issues support or linkage into other mental health services. This service is not designed to offer case management.
Connecting 2 Community
Offering a peer led and clinical service that provides mental health support for those. living with a mental health condition and not currently linked with the NDIS, however, can help support people complete NDIS applications.
The Peer Workers can help social connections back to community for those feeling isolated.
Self or medical professional referrals are both welcome. If you have a mental health condition but are not yet connected to a supportive health service.
This program is supported by Western Victorian Primary Health Network (PHN) under the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program.
Forensic Mental Health
This is a service for those involved with the criminal justice system mandated to engage in mental health service by their corrections order, who are considered medium or high risk of reoffending, with low to moderate mental health concerns.
Referrals must be made through Corrections directly to the Forensic Mental Health Team.
Service Navigation
Provides short term assistance in finding engagement with mental health support through identifying service needs and gaps.
Peer Cadet Program
Designed for people with a lived or living experience to enter the peer workforce and gain valuable experience while completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
At the completion of this ten-month program Cadets will be equipped with the knowledge and experience to begin a career in Peer Support Work.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect
A co-design service with Mind Australia, Grampians Community Health and Ballarat Community Health.
The Grampians Mental Health & Wellbeing Connect Centre is a place that is warm and welcoming to family, carers, kin and supporters of all ages and backgrounds, caring for those with mental health issues in the local community.
Group Programs
Peer Group
Peer group is a casual gathering of clients who are impacted by mental health. We offer an open form discussion around day-to-day problems and issues.
Clients discuss amongst themselves and share ideas that have worked for them and relate to each other with their struggles at the end a new goal is made for the following week.
Arts and Wellbeing
This program uses art as a creative space to recover from a mental health condition or challenging life circumstance. For anyone not acutely unwell and goal and recovery focused.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy is an evidence-based counselling model – a way for both children and adults to express their feelings and work through challenges using creative expression and play. It helps people explore emotions, understand difficult experiences, and find ways to cope with stress or trauma. In a safe and supportive environment, play therapy uses toys, games, art, and other activities to encourage self-expression and healing—without the pressure of needing to talk. It’s a powerful tool for emotional growth and healing, especially when words alone feel difficult to use.
The Play Therapy service runs from the Cooinda site and is open for referrals.
This is a non-funded service, so clients will need to bring their own funding (eg NDIS) or pay for the service out-of-pocket.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
New program coming in 2026.
Other Programs
General Counselling Services
Ballarat Community Health offers general and specialist counselling for individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Sessions are safe, confidential, and tailored to each person’s needs. Our experienced counsellors support people through a wide range of life challenges. Costs vary, and free or subsidised options are available depending on your circumstances.
Family Violence Counselling
Confidential family violence counselling for women and non-binary people who have experienced intimate partner violence.
Our trauma-informed counsellors provide support in a safe space to help work through the ongoing impacts of family violence. Wait times apply, but short term sessions may be available sooner.