The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Medicare by delivering more mental health services in the heart of regional communities.
Since opening, Medicare Mental Health Centres across regional NSW have delivered more than 70,000 occasions of care to locals seeking support.
Medicare Mental Health Centres offers free mental health support and care for people in distress, without the need for an appointment or referral.
Centres are 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 Albanese Labor Government is establishing a network of 92 Medicare Mental Health Centres, including 33 in NSW.
Centres have been opened across regional NSW in Lismore, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Muswellbrook, Dubbo, Bathurst, Shellharbour, Young, Wagga Wagga and Moruya.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride MP, today visited the Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre which has delivered 8,932 occasions of care.
The Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre is the busiest in regional NSW with 34,499 occasions of care, while the centre Wagga Wagga have delivered 12,706 occasions of care.
Additional centres are being established in Tweed, Tamworth, Armidale, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cessnock, Nowra and Queanbeyan.
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 Labor Government is putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and services in the centre of communities.
“Our Medicare Mental Health Centres create a new front door to mental health care, removing barriers to accessing support.
“We’re expanding our network of Medicare Mental Health Centres so more people in rural and regional New South Wales can access free support and care."