The Loddon Shire Healthy Minds Network was formed in 2007 to actively pursue mental health issues as they related to residents of the entire Loddon Shire. As a very large rural shire, many mental health services available to city and regional residents were not available in Loddon. Many Loddon residents also did not know how to avail themselves of the services that were available in Bendigo and Melbourne.
The Healthy Minds Committee is auspiced by the Loddon Shire Council and therefore has the ability to raise issues at State Government level. Ultimately, it is the Victorian State Government that has responsibility for the availability and type of mental health services in Loddon and beyond.
In addition to the committee, there are Mental Health Support Groups in the Shire who provide information and raise issues concerning them about mental health in an overall capacity. The committee will then deal with these issues at an appropriate level and seek to have them resolved or acted upon.