MICHAEL CLARKE, HOST: Yes, well, life has all sorts of exciting moments for us, don't they? And for many, becoming a parent is one of those big, big moments. I’ve never done it myself, but I have plenty of friends who can tell me about the excitement, but also some of the challenges that time of life brings and how it can be a little bit stressful and have an impact on your mental health. Well, some news today, the Federal Government announcing a new perinatal mental health centre that's coming to Townsville. With more details on this, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Rural and Regional Health Emma McBride is in Townsville today. Welcome to the region.
ASSISTANT MINISTER EMMA MCBRIDE: Good to be back.
CLARKE: So tell us about this centre – what will it do?
MCBRIDE: We know that expectant or new parents, about one in five women and one in ten men, experience perinatal depression or anxiety. As you mentioned, it can be a very stressful time for expectant or new parents. So that affects about 100,000 Australians each year. The Commonwealth Government has partnered with the Gidget Foundation to provide free psychological support for expectant or new parents. And working with Queensland Health and the Primary Health Network, there'll be a location within Townsville that'll be convenient and accessible to those new and expectant parents.
CLARKE: So we're not sure exactly where it will be at this stage, that has to be sorted out?
MCBRIDE: It does, and we work with the community to make sure that it is a convenient place that's accessible. I opened one in Rockhampton which was in a Stockland shopping centre. I opened another one in Greenslopes that was located within hospital, so at a place that would be convenient to a new parent. And how they would access it is that they would see a GP, get a mental health treatment plan and then have free sessions with a psychologist who's experienced in perinatal mental health.
CLARKE: Why is it important to have something like this that goes along with the other supports that we see for new parents?
MCBRIDE: We know, as I said, the prevalence of perinatal depression and anxiety, the impact that can have on an expectant or new parent and also on their newborn. So that earlier support is vital and can make a very big difference for that parent and for their family.
CLARKE: I'm wondering too if this will mean more staff for the region – are we going to get more people to actually staff a centre like this? Or will it be existing staff in the region?
MCBRIDE: Gidget Foundation has experienced psychologists who are expert in perinatal depression and anxiety. So yes, it will mean access to more, very experienced psychologists in the region. And we know, looking at the data from Townsville and the surrounding area, that there is a higher prevalence of psychological distress amongst women and also some gaps where there is high demand and more support needed. So in looking at the locations nationally, Townsville was a place where we knew that more support was needed and that in partnership with the Gidget Foundation that this would be a really good opportunity to be able to provide that support locally. And as you mentioned, complementary to the Medicare Mental Health Centre that we have in Townsville and the headspace that is going to be uplifted to a headspace Plus. So strong investment from the Commonwealth, working with the State Government to make sure that wherever you live, whether it's in in North Queensland or in other parts of Australia, that you can get the support and care that you need.
CLARKE: Do we know- do we have a timeframe of when this will be open?
MCBRIDE: This will be open in the coming months, and we'll make sure that all your listeners know when it is open so that they can access it. And Gidget also does have an online presence as well. So that in the meantime, if parents do want to get an understanding of what Gidget offers or the support that's available to them, they can jump online and have a look.
CLARKE: You're hearing this morning from Emma McBride, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Rural and Regional Health. You mentioned some of those other places, the Mental Health Clinic which is in the city heart, and also headspace. You're going to be visiting those locations today too?
MCBRIDE: Yes, we're off first to the Medicare Mental Health Centre. It was the fifth one that was open in Australia and it has now seen more than 12,000 visits. And to know that local people can walk in without an appointment, without a referral and free of charge to get support and care is making a really big difference. And for your listeners who might not be as familiar with the service, it's staffed by a clinical team, including consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, registered nurse, a GP, and also lived experience, because we know the value of someone who's had their own personal experience that they can bring to supporting someone else. Sometimes it's the best support that you can have, particularly when you first seek support.
CLARKE: And headspace, you mentioned headspace Plus. What will that mean?
MCBRIDE: Headspace Plus is a new model. Headspace was first developed in Australia now 20 years ago.
CLARKE: For young people?
MCBRIDE: For young people aged 12 to 25 to get free mental health support. We know that more young people now, almost double the amount of young people now, are experiencing distress, and also that that distress is often more severe and occurring earlier in life. So we're working with an expert advisory group including Orygen and headspace National to develop a new model of care, headspace Plus. And the first 30, Townsville will be one of those where the centre will be uplifted to be able to support young people with more complex needs so that we can catch them sooner in the community and help them to be able to thrive.
CLARKE: Good to hear all those new things coming to our region. We’ll follow that progress. Emma McBride, thank you for being with us today.
MCBRIDE: Good to be with you.
CLARKE: Speaking to us and visiting Townsville today, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Rural and Regional Health. That new perinatal mental health centre in Townsville opening in the coming months.