More than 20 new mental health centres have been slated to open from the middle of next year as the Victorian Government attempts to reform a “fractured” system.The locations for the crucial facilities were revealed on Wednesday as Premier Daniel Andrews broke ground on a dedicated centre for children under 11 to be opened in Macleod next year.The new 12-bed Child and Family Centre would provide around-the-clock care and allow children to stay with their families as they receive treatment – a key recommendation of the royal commission.Additional local centres for adults have been slated for Craigieburn, Werribee, Melton, Sunbury and Dandenong along with more than a dozen regional locations.The 21 venues will target “key priority areas” for mental health support across the state.Six facilities previously announced will open this year in Benalla, Latrobe Valley, Frankston, Brimbank, Whittlesea and Greater Geelong.The services would act as a “front door” to the reformed mental health system and bridge a large gap between GPs and hospitalisation, Mr Andrews said.“The old system makes it harder for mental health clients, carers and families,” he said.“It works against good outcomes because it’s not really a system at all – it’s a series of fractured services.“(Visitors to these centres) can get that care locally and early … our hope is they’re not having to escalate, they’re not having moments of crisis, and not developing more severe illness.”Shadow mental health minister Emma Kealy said the government would miss an opportunity to implement reforms if it continued to oppose amendments which would allow thousands more to enter the mental health workforce.“The Royal Commission delivered damning interim recommendations back in 2019 that called out severe deficiencies in the mental health workforce that needed immediate attention,” Ms Kealy said.“But three years and six COVID lockdowns later, the problems are worse. But instead of supporting ideas and legislative reform that will immediately unlock more mental health workers to support Victorians, the Labor government is actively stonewalling them.”Ms Kealy said the government had failed to adequately meet “skyrocketing demand” for mental health support in public schools.Labor voted against legislative amendments which would have allowed 2000 tertiary qualified counsellors to work in schools as mental health practitioners, she said.“Our public schools are ideally placed to help support better mental wellbeing of Victorian students struggling after the isolation of lockdown, but there’s not enough workers to deliver it.“In many areas of Victoria, particularly regional areas, Counsellors are the only mental health support available – but without these crucial reforms, schools can’t employ them as mental health practitioners.”Mental health facility locationsSPIKE IN COVID DEATHS Victoria has recorded 7126 new Covid cases, along with 28 deaths.It’s the biggest spike in deaths since 41 fatalities were announced on February 5.There are 264 people in Victorian hospitals being treated for Covid, including 37 receiving intensive care, five of whom are on a ventilator.There are 41,162 cases across the state, with more than 23,000 Victorians undergoing a PCR test on Tuesday.Nearly 60 per cent of Victorians aged over 18 have received a triple dose of the Covid vaccine.NED-5250-Victoria’s Covid-19 statisticsMARCH MADNESS AS MELBOURNE STAGES COMEBACKAs the sun sets on another sensational summer, Melbourne is bracing for an awesome Autumn of world class events.From Flemington to Formula 1, Harry Potter to Hamilton, fashion festivals to flower exhibitions, Graceland to gastronomical delights — and, of course, the biggest show in town, footy — Melbourne’s Mad March is back. Melbourne Fashion Festival, launching on Thursday, kicks off the season with style. “It’s wonderful to see Melbourne coming back to life,” the festival’s acting chief executive Yolanda Finch said. Celebrity chef Shane Delia said alongside AFL high-flyers and Australian GP, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (March 25 to April 9) will sizzle. “Major events are at the heart of what makes Melbourne great: footy, food and wine and fast cars,” Delia said. “What else could you possibly want?” Funnyman Dave Hughes, a headliner at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March 30 to April 24) agrees. “Melbourne is alive in March and April. It’s my favourite time of the year,” Hughes said. AFLW player Eden Zanker says the siren was sounding for footy fans to back their favourites for another season. Zanker said: “I can’t wait to celebrate the roar of our state coming alive again”. Aisha Aidara, who plays Rose Granger-Weasley in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will go into rehearsals later this month for the new, reimagined version of the magical play, which premieres in May.“There’s always amazing energy in the air when you start working collectively on something new,” Aidara said. “And I think that’s the same for Melbourne, you can feel like we’re just about to step out all together and get back to enjoying everything that we love.”Elvis Presley tribute artist, Jack Gatto, is ready to hip swivel and shake a leg when the Elvis: Direct From Graceland exhibition rolls into the Benidgo Art Gallery (March 9 to July 17).Better Homes And Gardens presenter Melissa King hopes aspiring green thumbs who took up gardening during lockdown find inspiration at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (March 30 to April 3).Important dates for MelbourneMeanwhile, the Victoria Racing Club is gearing up for autumn with three race days across consecutive Saturdays in March, including Guineas Day, Super Saturday and All Star Mile.Group 1 winning jockey Lachlan King has already won the Victoria Derby at Flemington and will partner with King Magnus in the $5m All-Star Mile.Across town, at Albert Park, the Australian GP (April 7 to 10) is revving up.The event’s marketing manager, Arthur Gillion, said: “Melbourne is the home of major international events, and we cannot wait to come back with a bang”.
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