Far North Queensland residents now have access to free, walk-in mental health support with the opening of the new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Cairns.
The centre was officially opened today by Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP and Member for Leichardt, Matt Smith MP.
Located at 267 Mulgrave Road, Bungalow, the centre offers free mental health support and care without the need for an appointment or a referral.
Staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including mental health clinicians and peer workers, care is tailored to the needs of each person, with wraparound support for people with more ongoing needs.
The Australian Government is establishing a national network of 92 Medicare Mental Health Centres, including 24 in Queensland.
Centres have already been opened across regional Queensland in Townsville, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Kingaroy and Bundaberg. With centres under establishment in Mackay and the Torres Strait.
The Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre is co-funded by the Commonwealth and State Government, commissioned by the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and operated by Mind Australia.
People seeking information or support can connect with Medicare Mental Health by calling 1800 595 212 or visiting www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“The Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare by delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities.
“The Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre offers free, walk-in mental health support for Far North Queenslanders.
“Our centres create a new front door to mental health care, removing barriers to accessing support with no appointment or referral needed.
“We’re proud to partner with the Queensland Government to deliver mental health services across the state.”
Quotes attributable to Matt Smith, Member for Leichardt:
“Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Cairns' new Medicare Mental Health Centre provides free support for anyone that feels they need help or are doing it tough."
"Mental Health support like this is another way that the Albanese Government is putting people's wellbeing as our top priority. I've made no secret that I had my own mental health challenges in the past, and I wish I'd had the sort of support this centre provides when I had needed it most."
"Cairns has recently welcomed new Medicare Bulk Billing Practices, an all-new walk-in Urgent Care Clinic and reduced prescription costs. By adding the Medicare Mental Health Clinic, we are providing another way to keep Cairns locals in the best health possible, both inside and out."
Quotes attributable to Minister Nicholls:
“We welcome Commonwealth investments in services like the new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Cairns, which are vital to taking pressure off our local hospitals.
“In the past, some Far North Queenslanders who needed mental health support ended up at our busy emergency departments because there was just nowhere else to go.
“This new centre will now provide that vital mental health support outside of the hospital setting.”