Bendigo Volunteers Transform Mental Health Services for Central Victoria Residents

Bendigo's mental health drop-in services recorded 1,850 visits in the first half of 2026, according to figures released by the city's primary health network last week.

The increase comes as winter brings shorter days and colder nights that often heighten isolation for people living alone in the city's outer suburbs. Local services have expanded hours at several sites to meet the demand without adding new staff positions.

Daily operations on Mitchell Street and View Street

At the Bendigo Community Health Centre on Mitchell Street, volunteers greet visitors each morning and guide them to quiet rooms for one-on-one chats or group activities. A few blocks away, the Bridge Program at the old post office building on View Street runs evening art sessions three nights a week. Both locations rely on the same small group of regular faces who have turned up for shifts since the programs began in 2023.

Staff at these sites also coordinate transport for people from Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat who cannot reach the city centre on their own. The routine includes checking in with callers on a dedicated phone line that operates until 9pm on weekdays.

Access numbers and next steps

Internal records show the average cost per session at these centres sits at $18 when participants contribute, though many sessions remain free for those on low incomes. The same data set lists a 14 percent rise in first-time visitors between January and June compared with the same period in 2025.

Residents can find current opening times and the weekly schedule on the Bendigo Health website or by calling the main line at the Mitchell Street centre. Walk-ins are accepted at both locations on weekdays, with no appointment required before 4pm.