Free mental health centres open

Above: All smiles as the ribbon is cut on the new Caboolture Medicare Mental Health Centre.

Two free walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres have opened in Moreton Bay region – and two more will follow soon.

Healthcare support is now available at new Caboolture and Strathpine centres, which launched last week alongside Lutwyche.

Redcliffe and Everton Hills will follow as part of a national network of 91 Medicare Mental Health Centres – 23 in Queensland.

Centres provide immediate, short-to medium-term mental health supports and service navigation for people in distress.

Adults (plus families and carers) experiencing emotional or psychological distress, crises, mental ill health or addiction do not need an appointment, GP referral or mental health treatment plan.

Strathpine and Caboolture pictures

- Strathpine’s new centre is at 7/327 Gympie Rd and will open Monday to Friday 1pm–5pm, operated by Neami.

- Caboolture is at Level 1/21 Pettigrew Street, open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm, operated by Stride.

- Redcliffe will be operated by Communify Queensland, when it opens soon.

- Everton Hills does not have an opening date yet.

- Lutwyche will be at 566 Lutwyche Road open Monday to Friday, 9am–4.30pm, operated by Communify Queensland. It is temporarily operating in Bardon.

Redcliffe and Lutwyche pictures

Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride and State Minister for Health Tim Nicholls officially opened the centres on Friday.

“This is such an important day for everyone in the local community at Lutwyche, Caboolture and Strathpine,” Assistant Minister McBride said.

“Anyone may be impacted by mental ill-health. These new centres offer access to free support, without an appointment or referral. Thank you to Brisbane North PHN.”

Minister Nicholls said: “Community-based centres like this are a vital step in strengthening our mental health system closer to home - ensuring more people get health services when needed.

“This in turn eases pressure on our emergency departments and helps people find the supports that are right for them.”

Ali France, Federal Member for Dickson added: “And it doesn’t stop there. In addition to Strathpine, the Government will open a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Everton Hills.”

Senator Corrine Mulholland said: “Queenslanders can access free mental health support and care, no matter their postcode, without an appointment or referral.”

The three new Medicare Mental Health Centres are funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments and commissioned by Brisbane North PHN.

Medicare Mental Health Centres will soon also provide free access to a psychologist and psychiatrist, in person or via telehealth.

Further information is available by clicking here.

Book an appointment at your nearest Medicare Mental Health Centre online or by calling 1800 595 212.