Over the three years since its inception, Move of Mental Health has raised more than $180,000 to improve the wellbeing and recovery outcomes of mental health patients throughout the Loddon Mallee region.
During this time, a specialised exercise program, an on-site gym and sensory modulation tools have been introduced to mental health departments which have made a world of difference for patients.
Funds raised during the 2022 event will enable the purchase of a multi-purpose bus, so more mental health patients throughout the region can access the specialised exercise program regardless of their location.
These services are delivered by Bendigo Health, a leading regional health service, with around 4,500 staff and a catchment area covering a quarter of the size of Victoria.
To date, the successful Move for Mental Health initiative has helped fund the following:
- Significant investment in a complete restocking of small sensory modulation equipment for the precinct
- All residential services have been equipped with new equipment to support our patients to be active while living in our residential services. Equipment includes sports equipment, weights, arts and crafts
- Community Care Unit (CCU) – have 4 new bikes, fishing gear, access to swimming at the Eaglehawk Leisure Centre, as well as Yoga on Thursday’s and Boxing on Fridays. These classes are consistently well attended and feedback is only positive from patients and staff (DDU patients also attend classes, but not as frequently)
- APARC/YPARC – access to a weekly Yoga class held onsite
- Dual Diagnosis Unit (DDU) – 8 new mattresses for the service – better sleep, more likely to want to engage in options
Community Mental Health:
- Echuca: access to swimming at the local leisure centre. Also a walking group that ends with a coffee at the local café
- Castlemaine: walking group with coffee afterwards. Yoga classes started recently as a trial (limited engagement, but working on it)
- Bendigo: Access to a weekly yoga class at Silverback gym (mostly attended by CCU patients however, with some community uptake – high numbers consistently though)
Remaining funds and funds raised from the 2022 events will continue to sustain exercise classes as much as possible and purchase a patient transport bus to enable our peer workforce to collect patients at home for those where transport is a barrier.
Our mental health teams aims to have Swan Hill, Kyneton and Maryborough engaged with options for our patients living in those towns.
