The WES (mental health café)

Project summary:

The mental health café model was co- designed by Larter Consulting and the community. The 24-month pilot, which opened in Morwell in 2022 is being delivered by Wellways Australia (as of October 1 2024). The purpose of this pilot is to understand if and how a ‘mental health café’ might operate in the Latrobe Valley.

The café, known as The WES (standing for Wellbeing and Emotional Support), offers a safe and welcoming space for members of the community experiencing mental health concerns, psychological distress and their families, carers and supporters. People who attend The WES are considered visitors rather than mental health consumers, clients or patients.

Through a peer-led model, visitors to The WES access support from people who use their lived experience to promote hope and provide support. Their personal experiences enable them to connect empathetically with visitors, offering a sense of shared understanding.

The WES operates as a Service System Navigator, with staff supporting visitors to access clinical support if needed and offering information about a wide range of pathways to community services and other community- based programs and activities.

The service operates outside of regular business hours and provides an alternative to Emergency Department attendance for people experiencing mental health challenges, but do not require acute inpatient care where clinical intervention and monitoring are required. This reduces the pressure on EDs and provides a genuine alternative to traditional clinical services. The WES can also arrange travel to and from the space for any visitors from within Latrobe City.

The WES has now seen over 1000 visitors since its opening. The pilot is also being supported by a robust evaluation, led by Scyne Advisory.