Medicare Mental Health Centres to open in Rockhampton and Gladstone
Two new mental health centres will open in Central Queensland offering free walk-in care and support. See where, and what they’re offering.
Rockhampton
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People in Central Queensland suffering through mental health difficulties will soon have access to a new place of support, with new facilities to open in both Rockhampton and Gladstone by the end of July.
The clinics will offer free and confidential face-to-face assessments by trained mental health clinicians, without the need for a referral or appointment, according to Country to Coast Queensland CEO Julie Sturgess.
She said the services would operate during business hours between Monday to Friday and would also complement the existing Head to Health mental health and wellbeing phone line operating in the region.
“Navigating the health system can sometimes be overwhelming. If you are looking for mental health support for yourself or someone you care about, the Head to Health phone line and these new Medicare Mental Health Centres can provide on-the-spot advice and guidance about the next step,” Ms Sturgess said.
Wellways Australia was selected by Country to Coast Queensland following a tender process to establish the new centres, and will be partnering with Clarity Health Care to deliver services.
The Medicare Mental Health Centres are two of four new in-person adult mental health and wellbeing support services set to open across the state.
The news comes almost six months after the Rockhampton Medicare Urgent Care Clinic opened its doors.
According to the 2021 census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 9030 people in the Rockhampton local government area identified as having a mental health condition, which includes depression and anxiety.
The figure is about 11 per cent of the whole LGA’s population.
Meanwhile in the Gladstone LGA about 6074 people said they suffered with a mental health condition.
Ms Sturgess said local GPs and other health providers were already referring residents to the free Head to Health phone lines through the streamlined online referral process Country to Coast QLD introduced earlier this year to ensure clients can access mental health support sooner.
“All our performance data for the Head to Health phone services is trending up, which shows that our community members are keen to start a conversation about their mental health and wellbeing,” she said.
“I’m sure they will welcome the opportunity to do that face-to-face in the new Medicare Mental Health Centres in coming months.”
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Rural and Regional Health Assistant Minister Emma McBride said the new clinic would allow Central Queenslanders to have free, walk-in mental health support and care closer to home.
“Making mental health care more accessible for Australians, particularly in rural and regional areas, is a high priority for our government,” she said.
The sites of the new Medicare Mental Health Centres are yet to be announced.
People wanting to connect with the Head to Health mental health phone service can call 1800 595 212.
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Originally published as Medicare Mental Health Centres to open in Rockhampton and Gladstone
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