Program aims to address mental health A SUPPORT network for people struggling with mental health will launch in Frankston in the next year. The state government has announced the establishment of five “social inclusion action groups”. One will be based in Frankston. The support groups will bring community members together to create and deliver initiatives to improve mental health and wellbeing. Acting mental health minister Colin Brooks said it was important to engage local people through the program. “We’re supporting more people feel connected to their community, with programs developed by locals who know their communities,” he said. The groups are a response to a Royal Commission recommendation. The state government is spending $9 million to establish the first ten. Brooks
said “the Royal Commission recognised that communities are best placed to understand and drive local social connection and inclusion that supports mental health and wellbeing.” The state government says the groups will have representation from people of all backgrounds - Aboriginal people, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and people living with disability will be invited to participate.
FRANKSTON MP Paul Edbrooke, Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson, and Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy meet to discuss the social inclusion action group project. Picture: Supplied
THE new exercise equipment at Wingham Park in use. Picture: Supplied
Seniors invited to exercise at park AN exercise park for seniors has opened at Wingham Park in Frankston. Exercise equipment designed for older people was installed at the Ashleigh Avenue park at a cost of $235,000 - funded by Frankston Council, the state government, and the National Ageing Research Institute. Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy said that the park will “not only bene-
fit our older residents’ physical health, but will also encourage social interaction and reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation.” “The new site features fitness equipment for seniors, new seating, drinking fountain and outdoor activity deck, and park improvements including accessible paths, accessible car parking bays, garden beds and new trees. Given the proximity to the al-
ready existing children’s playground, it’s a great opportunity for grandparents and their grandchildren to get outdoors and play together,” he said. Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke said “there’s never been a more important time to focus on the physical and mental wellbeing of this cohort, making projects like Wingham Park extremely important to the community.”
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8 November 2022
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