Accessing specialist mental health support is becoming easier for people across Logan and South East Queensland, with Mind Australia opening a new Allied Health office in Underwood.
The new location gives Mind’s Allied Health team in Queensland a dedicated base for face-to-face appointments, complementing existing telehealth and community-based services. Located in one of the region's key growth corridors, the office will make it easier for more people to access specialist Occupational Therapy (OT) and psychology support closer to home.
Mind Occupational Therapist Aaron Thomas said the office was already making a difference to how the team supports people.
"It gives us a base to operate from and more flexibility in how we deliver support across the community," he said.
The Logan and South Brisbane corridor has a high number of people experiencing psychosocial disability accessing the NDIS, making Underwood an ideal location to expand access to specialist services.
Mind’s Allied Health services are delivered by experienced Occupational Therapists and Psychologists, with flexible, personalised support tailored to each person’s goals, strengths and recovery journey.
While Occupational Therapy is widely recognised in physical rehabilitation and paediatrics, Aaron said many people are surprised to learn mental health Occupational Therapy is a specialised area of practice.
"Mental health Occupational Therapy is still a relatively niche profession, and many people don’t realise it exists or how it can support them,” Aaron said.
"The services we provide are so important, but they’re not always sought out because people simply aren’t aware they’re available,” Mind Occupational Therapist Jennifer Morris said.
"We see the difference specialist support can make every day and increasing awareness while expanding the areas we can support is one of our biggest priorities.”
The team has already seen the impact that specialist mental health support can have.
“The positive changes we’re seeing in the community are significant. It’s clear this is a service that's needed,” Jennifer said.
Mind continues to grow its Allied Health team in Queensland, with plans to recruit additional clinicians and expand access across the region. For Aaron and Jennifer, the new Underwood office is another important step towards ensuring more people know specialist mental health support is available when they need it.
Mind's Allied Health team supports people through the NDIS, private health insurance, private referrals and a national partnership with Beyond Blue. Alongside psychologists, the team includes specialist mental health Occupational Therapists, who help people build independence, manage the impact of mental health challenges, and work towards their personal recovery goals.
You can learn more about how Allied Health services can benefit you or your business on our website.
Pictured above are Adele, Aaron, Jen and Jen from Mind’s Allied Health team.