People across North West Queensland will soon have free, walk-in mental health support and care with the opening of the Medicare Mental Health Centre in Mount Isa.
The Medicare Mental Health Centre will provide on-the-spot support for people in distress and ongoing care for more complex mental health needs.
Staffed by a multidisciplinary care team, including social workers, nurses, and peer support workers, it will provide wraparound support and care across extended hours.
To boost access to specialist care, the Australian Government is investing an additional $29.9 million to provide access to psychologists and psychiatrists on call for every centre.
To respond to growing need, the government is rolling out 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres across the country, including 19 in Queensland.
The Mount Isa centre will be co-funded by the federal and state governments with an investment of $1.2 million to commission and operate the service.
The service is expected to open in early 2025 at a location to be determined following community consultation and co-design.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
"The Albanese government is making mental health care more accessible, particularly for people in regional communities.
"The new Mount Isa Medicare Mental Health Centre will provide North West Queenslanders care, closer to home.
"The rollout of 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres, offering free, walk-in mental health support and care, is part of our plan to strengthen Medicare.
Quotes attributable to Senator Green:
"The Mount Isa Medicare Mental Health Centre will expand the range of options available to people needing mental health support.
"These centres will make it easier to access mental health supports, assist people in navigating mental health services that best meets their needs and reduce the demand on emergency departments."
"I'm delighted that the Albanese government is working with the Miles Government to open 19 Medicare Mental Health Centres across Queensland."
Quotes attributable to Minister Fentiman:
"This free service will be a game changer for those in the Mount Isa community seeking mental health support.
"The Miles government wants all Queenslanders to have access to the mental health services they need, no matter where they live.
"This is a great example of the Miles and Albanese governments working together to deliver care, closer to home."
