The new Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre provides a safe, welcoming place to get free mental health support and care, without the need for an appointment.
Located at Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre on Earl Street, the centre offers support to those in distress and short to medium-term care for people with moderate to severe mental ill-health.
Emma McBride, Assistant Minister for Mental Health, will today visit Coffs Harbour and officially open the new Medicare Mental Health Centre.
Medicare Mental Health Centres are a key part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthening Medicare.
Adults can get free mental health information, services, and support from a team of health professionals over extended hours.
There are currently 26 Medicare Mental Health Centres operating. A total of 61 will open across the country, including 22 in New South Wales.
The Albanese Government is providing $3.46 million to the local Primary Health Network to commission the Coffs Harbour centre, which is operated by Open Minds.
In the Budget, there was an additional investment of $29.9 million to boost the clinical capability of the Medicare Mental Health Centre network to provide access to psychologist and psychiatrists.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride
“The Albanese Government is building a network of Medicare Mental Health Centres so people can get free, walk-in mental health support and care, closer to home.
“The Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre provides a safe space for people on the North Coast to seek the care they need, in person, without an appointment.
“Our additional investment in the recent Budget will see a clinical uplift so that every centre will have access to psychologists and psychiatrists on call.”
