Local mental health support in Bendigo
Accessing the right mental health support can sometimes mean limited program availability, long wait times or travelling away from home.
St John of God Bendigo Hospital’s mental health day program provides local access to structured, group-based therapeutic support for adults whose mental health is affecting their everyday life.
Download program brochure (PDF)
Referrals
A referral is required from a GP, psychiatrist or other appropriate treating clinician.
Once we receive your referral, a member of our mental health team will contact you to discuss an initial assessment and whether the program is suitable for your needs.
Who is the mental health day program for?
The program supports adults aged 18 and over who:
- have a diagnosed mental health condition
- are experiencing reduced mental health stability or difficulty with day-to-day functioning
- may benefit from step-up or step-down support while continuing to live in the community.
Program outline
Our mental health day program begins with an individual clinical assessment to understand each participant’s needs, goals and suitability for the program.
Eligible participants then take part in a structured 12-week group program, with a three-hour session each week.
The program includes:
- evidence-based therapeutic education and practical skills development
- strategies to support stress management, emotional regulation and everyday functioning
- psychiatric oversight, including medication review and optimisation where clinically indicated
- recovery-focused step-up and step-down support
- mindfulness and grounding
- CBT, DBT and ACT informed skills
- emotional regulation
- relationships and boundaries
- building healthy routines
- identifying values and setting goals
- relapse prevention.
The program focuses on early intervention, supporting people to maintain their wellbeing and independence in the community.
By providing structured mental health support close to home, the program aims to reduce the risk of deterioration, acute presentations and readmission.
What can participants gain?
The program aims to help participants develop:
- a better understanding of how mental health challenges can affect everyday life and functioning
- practical strategies to use at home and in the community
- greater confidence in managing stress, difficult emotions and psychological challenges
- skills to strengthen daily routines, improve functioning and support personal recovery
- holistic support that considers individual clinical, psychological and functional needs.
Funding
The program is available to eligible participants with appropriate private health insurance, WorkCover and TAC funding.
Patients can choose to access private hospital services and treatments by paying fees themselves.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions about our mental health day program.
Telephone: 0404 375 610
Email: [email protected]
Address: Lily Street, Bendigo VIC 3552
You can also find us on the ground floor of St John of God Bendigo Hospital, colocated with the allied health team.