Mind Australia has been chosen to deliver the new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Cairns, Queensland.
Medicare Mental Health Centres are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, via the local Primary Health Network, to provide a safe and welcoming place for people experiencing mental health challenges to access free, quality mental health and wellbeing support.
Medicare Mental Health Centres provide free, immediate, short and medium-term care to anyone living in Australia. The centres help people experiencing mental health challenges to connect with other services to support them into the future - from health to mental health, and social supports like housing and employment.
Medicare Mental Health Centres are staffed by a team of highly qualified mental health professionals and peer support workers with a lived or living experience of mental health.
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, in partnership with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, recently announced Mind would be the service provider of the new Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre.
Mind Australia CEO Gill Callister says free and accessible support with an open-door policy, like the Medicare Mental Health Centres, is a proven support model for people experiencing mental health challenges.
“Mind Australia is proud to be chosen to deliver the new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Cairns. We have a proven track record of delivering high-quality, free centre-based mental health support throughout Australia, including the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Victoria,” Ms Callister said.
“We know that accessible community-based support like these centres can make all the difference in helping people address problems before they reach crisis point.”
Mind has extensive experience providing centre-based mental health support through the Centres for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Cairns and Ipswich, the Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response (EIPSR) and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Victoria. One Door Mental Health, a member of the Mind Australia Group, also delivers a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Canterbury, New South Wales.
Denise Cumming, Mind Executive Director Queensland Operations, says the new Medicare Mental Health Centre would strengthen Mind’s well-established roots in Far North Queensland.
“Mind is an active member of the Cairns and Hinterland community having operated in the region since the state’s very first Step Up Step Down service opened there in 2015,” Ms Cumming said.
“Our service offerings in Cairns have grown considerably since then to include the Individual Recovery Support Program, the Crisis Support Space and the community based residential recovery care services.
“We’re proud to be recognised as a trusted provider of psychosocial supports in Cairns, and we’re committed to helping people in Cairns experiencing mental health challenges to improve their mental health, their wellbeing and their lives.”
A location for the new centre is yet to be determined, however, service delivery is anticipated to begin by mid-2025.
For more information on Mind services near you, contact us via Mind Connect or phone: 1300 286 463.