Bendigo Community Health Services would receive $80,000 for the Learning to Live Well project, which empowered local refugee and migrant communities including the large Karenni population.

Baptcare Ltd would receive $70,000 for their Asylum Seeker’s Mental Health and Wellbeing project.

The grants program was being coordinated by the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council and Tandem, an organisation representing Victorian mental health carers.

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The funding was provided by the Victorian government and member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said all Victorians, regardless of their background, had the right to access mental health services.

“These grants will help providers improve treatment and care for the people they support,” she said.

“We’re proud to be supporting all multicultural Victorians to check in on, and improve, their mental health.”

Thirteen grants were allocated across Victoria, ranging from $5,000 to $80,000.