Head to Health for Port Pirie

Adults in Port Pirie will have access to free, walk-in mental health and wellbeing support with a new Head to Health service to be established in the local community.

The Hon Emma McBride MP
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Assistant Minister Rural and Regional Health

Media event date:
Date published:
Media type:
Media release
Audience:
General public

Adults in Port Pirie will have access to free, walk-in mental health and wellbeing support with a new Head to Health service to be established in the local community.

Head to Health provides a safe and welcoming place for adults to access mental health information, services and supports delivered by multidisciplinary teams over extended hours, without needing an appointment, GP referral or paying a fee.   

Services include immediate support and follow-up for people in crisis, as well as short- to medium-term care for people with moderate to severe mental health needs. 

The new service in Port Pirie builds on the network of Head to Health centres being established across South Australia. New services for adults in Mount Gambier and Northern Adelaide will be operating later this year and will be followed in 2024 by a service in Mount Barker. The existing Adelaide Urgent Mental Health Care Centre is a Head to Health partner service and is co-funded through the Head to Health program.

The Port Pirie service is fully funded by the Australian Government, with an investment of $3.5 million over 4 years through the Country South Australia Primary Health Network. The service is expected to be operational by mid next year.

Anyone can access Head to Health by calling 1800 595 212 or by visiting their nearest service. Read more information about Head to Health.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Emma McBride:

 “The Albanese Labor Government is working hard to make mental health support more accessible for people wherever they live.

"The barriers to entry in accessing mental health care can be significant for many people. The Head to Health model addresses these concerns with its approachability and affordability.

“The Port Pirie service will give people in the town and surrounding region access to the mental health care they need closer to home.”

Quotes attributable to Senator Karen Grogan:

"I've had extensive discussions with community members and community leaders in Port Pirie about the need for accessible and affordable local mental health care.

“South Australian regions have a bright future ahead of them, and are a great place to live, work and visit. They are also facing unique challenges, which require innovative solutions.

“Funding Head to Health is just another example of the what the Albanese Government is doing to provide tailored solutions built to meet regional health care needs.”

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