Canberra’s new Medicare Mental Health Centre is a free walk-in mental health service that connects locals with the resources they need. Photo: Canberra Medicare Mental Health Centre.
A new Medicare Mental Health Centre has opened its doors in Tuggeranong as the government continues to expand the free walk-in service nationally.
The centre, the second of its kind in Canberra, is a specialised walk-in service that offers free support for people in distress, with in-house assessments, treatment and support, without the need for appointments, referrals or treatment plans.
It is part of a $1 billion national program to expand free mental health care and address what the government calls the ‘missing middle’ in the mental health system.
The Tuggeranong centre was officially opened by federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride and the ACT Member for Bean David Smith.
Mr Smith said that this would make a real on-the-ground difference.
“Getting local help for mental health issues is a key concern for many residents, whether for themselves or their loved ones,” he said.
“Having ready, free and walk-in access to mental health support is a real win for people living in Tuggeranong and right across southern Canberra.”
The Capital Health Network, which commissioned the new centre, said this will make it easier for people to find appropriate mental health resources.
“What we hear from the community is that it can be really hard to navigate all of the different options,” CHN CEO Stacy Leavens said.
“There are a range of services in the community, but they’re often provided by different providers so it can be a little bit hard to find your way through the services and really understand what you need. And for someone who is dealing with a mental health issue, that might be extra hard.
“So this kind of navigation support is about trying to have the staff at the centre walk alongside these folks as they work through the system and find those services that they need.”
Stacy Leavens said that the new centres will be an important tool to bring more mental health support to Canberrans. Photo: Supplied.
The Tuggeranong Centre is part of an Australia-wide program to establish 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres. So far, 41 are operating, with the rest on track to be completed by next year.
These are key to addressing the needs of people whose circumstances are not met by the current mental health system while also reducing the pressure on subsidised services provided by private psychologists.
“The new centre shows the Federal and ACT Governments’ ongoing commitment to supporting Canberrans and their families by providing mental health care that is accessible, timely and effective – so they can stay well in the community while helping reduce pressure on the hospital system,” ACT Mental Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.
$225 million out of a $1 billion election pledge was committed for Mental Health Centres around the country.
Other mental health funding committed to included $200 million for 58 new headspace services, $500 million for 20 youth specialist care centres and $90 million for more than 1200 training places for mental health professionals.
Tuggeranong Medicare Mental Health Centre is located at 2-6 Eileen Good Street, Greenway, while the Canberra centre is at 14 Childers Street, Canberra. For more in
