Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Grit and Resilience Program?
The Grit and Resilience Program is a community-led initiative that aims to better address and improve mental health and wellbeing, and support for those affected by suicide in the Rural City of Wangaratta.
How did the Program come about?
In the Rural City of Wangaratta, many families and communities have been affected by suicide. This is often further compounded by the close connections that members of smaller communities share.
The Grit and Resilience Program came about after the Rural City of Wangaratta and community rallied in 2018 to address mental health and suicide in the municipality.
They put a case to the Federal Government and were successful in seeking financial support of $1.2 million which is auspiced by Murray Primary Health Network.
Who is running the Program?
While coordinated by the Rural City of Wangaratta, the Program is guided by a consortium of agencies along with four community partners.
The agencies currently involved in the consortium are Gateway Health, Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service, Albury Wodonga Health, Northeast Health Wangaratta, Victoria Police, headspace Wangaratta, The Centre|Sport North East, and the Rural City of Wangaratta.
What does the Program aim to do?
Within the Program there are three priority areas, two of which were directly nominated by community. Those priorities are:
- Creating Connections – improving opportunities for people to make connections and broaden relationships between people and common communities.
- Including and Involving – creating spaces and activities where everyone is welcome and where people feel like they can get involved.
- Postvention - positively influencing attitudes towards mental health, including those affected by suicide.
How long will the Program go for?
The Program is currently funded through to 30 June 2023.
Who is the Program for?
The Grit and Resilience Program is for the whole of the Rural City of Wangaratta.
How is community involved in the Program?
The voice of community has directly shaped the priorities and activities of the Program.
In June 2020, a whole of community survey (open to all residents of the Rural City of Wangaratta) was conducted asking about mental health and the factors that contribute to positive mental health and wellbeing.
From this survey, four priority areas were identified. All of community were then invited to vote on the two priorities they felt would have the greatest impact, they chose Creating Connections and Including and Involving.
Survey respondents also suggested actions they thought would improve grit and resilience within their communities. Action Plans were developed for the priority areas using the suggested activities.
It is community who will drive these activities with support and facilitation by the Program’s Community Connector. Only when community members chose an activity they want to participate in, will an activity be triggered.
It is our aim that community members have ownership of the Program and are mobilised to drive the change they want to see in their communities.
How do I get involved?
You can be involved in a variety of ways. You can be part of a community group designing and delivering an activity, be part of the community evaluation team, sign-up for our Newsletter, or connect with us on social media.
If you want to participate in an activity, reach out to our team.
How do I find out more?
Details about the Program are available on our webpage. We also regularly post updates on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
You can also contact the team by email or connect with us on Facebook and/or Instagram.