The Loddon Healthy Minds Network is a Shire wide committee established to focus on mental health issues in the Shire. The concept behind the committee is clearly spelt out in their Vision and Mission Statements.

Our Vision:
To promote and improve the well being of people in the Loddon Shire affected by mental health issues.

Our Mission:
We do this by building an awareness with the general public, educating people experiencing mental health issues and their carers about services that are available, and advocating to government on behalf of the whole community to improve mental health support in the Loddon Shire.

General
Part of the overall concept of the Healthy Minds is to establish Support Groups across the Shire in all the major towns. The Terms of Reference appear below which explain the structure, intent and conduct of meetings of the support groups. These groups then feed issues of interest and concern back to the central committee for action.

LODDON SHIRE SUPPORT GROUPS

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Loddon Healthy Minds Network is a committee of community members, health professionals, and Council representatives working towards raising awareness of and improving mental health in the Loddon Shire.

The Support Group is a sub-group of the Loddon Healthy Minds Network for members of the community who have an interest in mental health.

Structure of the Support Group:

• With the exception of the group leader, there is no requirement for formal positions for the group.

• The group leader will provide a record of meetings and/or suggestions about improving mental health in the Shire to the Healthy Minds Network.

Philosophy of the Support Groups:

Every person attending meetings will:

• Be treated fairly and equitably by all other attendees.

• Have the opportunity to express their opinion and concerns about mental health issues in the Shire.

The purpose of the Support Groups is to provide:

• Fellowship to people who have mental health issues

• Fellowship to people who are carers of those people with mental health issues

• Fellowship to people interested in Mental Health issues

• Direct access to the Loddon Healthy Minds Network Committee

• An avenue to communicate any suggestions for the improvement of mental health in the Shire and/or the wider community.

The format of Support Group meetings will be:

• Welcome by group leader

• An update from the Healthy Minds Network Committee

• A discussion where attendees can provide suggestions to the Healthy Minds Network Committee

• An open forum where attendees can discuss any topic

• Refreshments and a chat

If you are interested in the area of Mental Health, then contact Jude Holt at the Shire on 03 54941200 in the first instance.

You can also find out further information about Mental Health at our website - Loddon Healthy Minds Network