Free mental health centre open

Above: From left - Caroline Radowski, Executive Manager, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Brisbane North PHN, Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comer, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride and Libby Dunstan, CEO, Brisbane North PHN

Free, walk-in mental health support and care is now available in Redcliffe with the opening of a new Medicare Mental Health Centre.

The centre, at 198 Anzac Ave, Kippa-Ring, offers free mental health support and care for people in distress, without need for appointments, referrals or a mental health treatment plan.

It has multidisciplinary care teams, including mental health clinicians and peer workers with care tailored to individuals and wraparound support for those with ongoing needs.

The centre was officially opened by Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride, Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comer and State Member for Redcliffe Kerry-Anne Dooley,

Redcliffe is one of 24 centres being set-up in Queensland – and 91 nationally – by the Federal Government. Of those, 47 are open - 12 in this state.

“The Redcliffe Medicare Mental Health Centre offers Peninsula locals a safe and welcoming place to access support and care close to home,” Assistant Minister McBride said.

“Anyone may be impacted by mental ill-health, and this new centre offers everyone access to free support, without the need for an appointment or referral.

“We’re rapidly rolling out Medicare Mental Health Centres across the country and will open the 50^th centre this week.”

Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comert said: “Our government has committed to expanding the centre, which will grow the expert mental health workforce and enable the centre to support even more people.”

Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Minister Tim Nicholls said such centres are “a vital step in strengthening our mental health system closer to home”.

“Ensuring more people get health services when they need them in turn eases pressure on our emergency departments and helps people find the supports that are right for them.”

The Federal and State Governments have provided $1.5 million in funding for the Redcliffe Medicare Mental Health Centre which will be operated by Communify.

Across Brisbane’s Northside and Moreton Bay, centres are open at Lutwyche, Strathpine and Caboolture. Others will be set-up in Chermside, The Gap and Everton Hills.

People seeking information or support can be connected with Medicare Mental Health by calling 1800 595 212 or visiting www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au