The Sunshine Coast will have free access to quality mental health services with a new Medicare Mental Health Centre being established locally.
Medicare Mental Health Centres provide a safe and welcoming place for adults to access free mental health information, support, and care from multidisciplinary teams over extended hours, without needing an appointment.
The new service is part of a network of 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres being established across Australia, including 19 locations across Queensland.
The permanent Sunshine Coast Medicare Mental Health Centre is expected to open from October this year.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride visited the temporary centre in Maroochydore today, located at Wellways Carer Gateway Office – 6/60 Wises Road, Maroochydore.
The Australian Government is providing funding of $5.9 million, and the Miles Government is providing funding of $4.2 million to Country to Coast QLD Primary Health Network to establish and operate the new Sunshine Coast centre.
In the Budget, the Australian Government committed $29.9 million to enhance the clinical capacity at each centre, ensuring access to psychologists and psychiatrists on call.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“Medicare Mental Health Centres are a key part of the Albanese Government’s mental health reforms, so all Australians have access to mental health support and care closer to home.
“Our Government is putting mental health at the centre of a stronger Medicare.”
Quotes attributable Minister Fentiman:
“Queenslanders deserve access to Queensland’s world-class healthcare, no matter where they live.
“This essential healthcare is expanding across the state so that more people can access the care they need, closer to home.
“This initiative highlights our shared commitment with the Albanese Government to deliver these crucial mental health services.
“We’re committed to improving Queenslanders’ access to healthcare – and that’s exactly what this new centre will do.”
Quotes attributable to Rob Skelton, Member for Nicklin:
“Mental health issues affect all of us, whether it’s directly or through someone close to us.
“Having this centre in our community will create an easier access to affordable and quality mental health care that will enable people to cope better with their crisis, no matter what level.
“I warmly welcome its establishment – and I know the local community will too.”
