People in Central Queensland now have access to free, walk-in mental health support and care with the opening of a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Gladstone.
Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, and Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls, officially opened the new service in Gladstone today.
The new centres will provide on-the-spot support for people in distress and ongoing care for more complex mental health needs.
Staffed by multidisciplinary care teams, including qualified mental health professionals, social workers, nurses, and peer support workers, the centres will provide wraparound support and care across extended hours.
The federal government is strengthening Medicare by opening 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres across Australia, including 19 in Queensland.
There are currently 33 Medicare Mental Health Centre open across Australia including seven in Queensland located in Townsville, Kingaroy, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands Gladstone and Rockhampton.
To boost access to specialist care, the government is investing an additional $29.9 million to provide access to psychologists and psychiatrists through every centre.
The new Medicare Mental Health Centre is located at 9 Derby Street, Gladstone.
The Gladstone Medicare Mental Health Centre is co-funded by the Commonwealth and state governments with a joint investment of $2.4 million over 3 years.
The centre is commissioned by Country to Coast QLD Primary Health Network and operated by Wellways in partnership with Clarity Health Care.
People can also make a free call to 1800 595 212 and be connected to a trained professional for advice, information or referral into the most appropriate local mental health service to meet their individual needs.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
"The Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare by investing in more mental health services.
"Central Queenslanders can now walk in and access free mental health care at the Gladstone Medicare Mental Health Centre.
"We want every Australian, no matter their postcode, to have access to high quality mental health care and support."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Chisholm:
"Gladstone is a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family. But like every community, people in our regional centres need easily accessible support for mental health concerns just as much as those living in our cities.
"This is exactly what the new Medicare Mental Health Centre will provide for locals. Delivered by highly trained and compassionate staff.
"The Albanese Government is delivering 19 Medicare Mental Health Centres across the state to put free help and support in reach for Queenslanders."
Quotes attributable to Minister Nicholls:
"Throughout the state we are working to provide appropriate treatment in purpose build facilities for mental health, like the 53-bed centre opened this week in Cairns and the 32 bed mental health inpatient unit at Rockhampton Hospital, anticipated to be completed in early 2026.
"As Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, I want our frontline staff working in mental health to know the exceptional work they undertake in challenging circumstances is recognised and appreciated."
