KIM NAPIER, HOST: Today marks a step forward, actually, for mental health support on Tasmania's northwest. The Albanese Government will officially open a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Devonport, the first of its kind for the region. It's on Stewart Street, open to anyone needing help, no GP referral, no appointment, no cost. And it's staffed by mental health clinicians and peer workers, and part of a broader national rollout, bringing care, that kind of care, into local communities. To tell us what it means for the North West, good morning to Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride. How are you doing this morning?
ASSISTANT MINISTER EMMA MCBRIDE: I'm good, Kim. Good to be with you.
NAPIER: And what's the last photo you took on your phone?
MCBRIDE: The last photo I took on my phone was yesterday when I was chatting with my six-year-old niece. She sent me what she was eating for dinner and I sent her what I was eating for dinner.
NAPIER: And what was that? Do share.
MCBRIDE: Well, I didn’t tell her mum but she was eating butter from a tub.
NAPIER: Perfect. And you're keeping your meal to yourself, right? Fair enough.
MCBRIDE: Mine was just a bit of cheese and some crackers.
NAPIER: Oh, love it. So let's get to the issue at hand, Devonport. Why was it chosen as one of the first Tasmanian sites for a Medicare Mental Health Centre?
MCBRIDE: We know that demand in your community and north of Tasmania is high and we wanted to make sure that we broke down barriers accessing care so that people could walk into a centre without needing an appointment, without needing a referral, and get care tailored to them and their needs and importantly to support family and carers too.
NAPIER: Okay, so for locals listening who might be struggling today, can you explain exactly what happens? You've told us what it is, but what happens when they walk through those doors at Stewart Street in Devonport?
MCBRIDE: They'll be greeted by a warm and welcoming place and by somebody who has their own lived experience. And often that is the best start to accessing support and care, someone who's walked in your shoes who understands. If they do need support from a clinician, that can also be arranged for them as well, so we're bringing together lived experience with clinical experience for the first time in your community.
NAPIER: Now, the centre is described, Emma, as no referral, no cost, no delay. Seemingly a huge shift from the usual mental health system that we are used to in Tasmania, at least. What difference do you hope that makes for regional Tasmanians?
MCBRIDE: I know it will make a really big difference. So, people being able to access care when they need it, close to home, and the right kind of care to meet their needs. I worked in acute inpatient units in a regional hospital for nearly 10 years and I saw distress escalate to crisis because people couldn't get support sooner and closer to home. And that's what these centres are doing all around the country. I had the chance to open one in Mount Isa earlier this week, and reopening one in Campbelltown in South Western Sydney tomorrow across the country. This is a new front door to mental health support and care.
NAPIER: Now, North West communities often talk about stigma and distance as barriers - in fact, you know, anyone with a mental health issue. How do you see centres like this helping to change that conversation around mental health in regional Tasmania and breaking down that stigma?
MCBRIDE: What we've seen is the real value of peer workers. Someone will be greeted by a person who's walked in their shoes, who has had the similar or the same experience. That is one of the best ways of breaking down stigma and encouraging people to seek help. That person or those peer workers can also help them navigate the health system to be able to be connected with the right care that suits them and walk alongside them while they do that.
NAPIER: Now this one in Launnie, how's that gone? Has it been well received, sadly well received?
MCBRIDE: It has. There has been a real demand for the service in Launnie. Many people in the local community and the wider region seeking support and care. Really encouraging to know that this is now available to people and will be open in Devonport as well.
NAPIER: All right. You're starting to break up on the phone there, but the Burnie Medicare Mental Health system is due to open in the first half of next year. You're off to Campbell Town too. What's happening?
MCBRIDE: So, there's Campbelltown in South Western Sydney…
NAPIER: [Talks over] Ah, not our Campbell Town.
MCBRIDE: Yes, but I will be in Burnie at headspace later today because as one of our election commitments, we're also expanding the headspace in Burnie, and we'll then be off to the Burnie Health Hub where Anne Urquhart, the local MP, has secured an additional $8 million to strengthen that service too. So really a lot of strong support to improve primary health care and access for people in your community.
NAPIER: Excellent. Emma, thank you. What was your advice finally to your niece on eating butter for dinner?
MCBRIDE: Well, I didn't tell her mother.
NAPIER: Yeah, that's it. That's what aunties are for, right?
MCBRIDE: Exactly.
NAPIER: Thank you for your time this morning. Emma McBride, the Honourable MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.