May 27th, 2026Free Mental Health Support For Melbourne’s South East

The state government is making it easier for locals in Melbourne’s south east to access free mental health care, closer to home.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has opened the Cardinia Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, located in Pakenham and Cockatoo.

The free service is now delivering tailored support in-person at the two locations and via telehealth.

It is part of a statewide network of 22 Locals providing care to adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress across 24 locations throughout Victoria.

Accessing care is simple – you don’t need a Medicare card or GP referral and services are completely free.

Locals act as a ‘front door’ to the system making them an important tool in early intervention.

The network of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals has already helped more than 41,000 Victorians.

Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals, wellbeing staff and peer support workers.

The network is a flagship initiative by the Labor Government in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Services at the Cardinia Mental Health and Wellbeing Local are delivered by Mind Australia in partnership with Monash Health.

The service operates at 16 Station Street, Pakenham and from Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association at 7-17 McBride Street, Cockatoo.

Appointments are available at the Pakenham site from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and the Cockatoo Site, Monday and Wednesday 9am to 5pm.

More information and contact details are available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals