Free walk-in centres to open

Above: Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride and Brisbane North PHN CEO Libby Dunstan.

Three new free walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres (MMHCs) are to open in the Moreton Bay region from July.

Based in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Strathpine, the MMHCs will give support, assessment and care to those in distress or mental health care needs.

There will be no need for appointments, GP referrals, prior diagnoses or a Medicare card to access the new service.

Locations are being finalised, but Brisbane North PHN says the Caboolture centre will be operated by Stride, Strathpine by Neami and Redcliffe by Communify.

A fourth centre, Inner-North Brisbane, will open at Lutwyche also operated by Communify.

Integrated Mental Health Hubs in Caboolture, Strathpine and inner-north Brisbane, will change to the new MMHC model. Redcliffe will be a new service.

Staffed by a multidisciplinary care team, including mental health social workers, nurses and peer support, it will give wrap around support and care across extended hours.

Valuable addition

The four new centres will support communities with high socio-economic disadvantage, higher unemployment rates and high rates of homelessness.

“Brisbane North PHN continues to work closely with our stakeholders and community to deliver local, innovative solutions to meet identified needs,” Brisbane North PHN CEO Libby Dunstan said.

“Our Joint Regional Needs Assessment tells us that more mental health supports are needed across the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions and Medicare Mental Health Centres will be a valuable addition to local services.”

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride said the new MMHCs will help residents “access support, closer to home”.

The Federal Government is rolling out 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres across the country, including 19 in Queensland.

For more on Medicare Mental Health Centres visit health.gov.au/medicare-mental-health or call 1800 595 212, 8.30am to 5pm weekdays.

In an emergency, call triple zero (000) or go to your closest emergency department.