Cairns and Far North Queensland are set to receive enhanced mental health care with the establishment of two new Medicare Mental Health Centres, announced recently.
These centres, part of a nationwide network of 61 facilities, will provide free, high-quality mental health services tailored for adults. They aim to offer a welcoming environment where individuals can access mental health information, support, and care from multidisciplinary teams without prior appointments, and during extended hours.
Services at these centres will include immediate support for crisis situations and ongoing care for individuals with moderate to severe mental health needs.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, highlighted the significance of these new centres during her visit to Cairns, emphasizing their role in expanding mental health care options locally.
Funding for the Cairns centre, scheduled to open in the coming months, and a second centre in Far North Queensland expected by 2026, totals $14.3 million. This initiative is part of a joint effort between the Commonwealth and State Governments under the Mental Health Bilateral Agreement to enhance mental health care accessibility across Queensland.
In the recent budget, the Albanese Government allocated $29.9 million to bolster clinical capabilities at these centres, ensuring access to professionals such as psychologists and psychiatrists.
Assistant Minister McBride underscored the commitment to making mental health care more accessible, stating, “We are putting mental health at the centre of a stronger Medicare, so all Australians have access to mental health support and care close to home.”
Senator Nita Green, highlighting the impact on regional communities, said, “These new centres will make a huge difference in the treatment of mental health issues in Cairns and across the Torres Strait.”
Minister Fentiman echoed these sentiments, stating, “We’re committed to improving Queenslanders’ access to healthcare – and that’s exactly what these new centres will do.”
These initiatives are expected to significantly improve access to essential mental health services in Cairns and Far North Queensland, addressing the unique challenges faced by residents in rural and remote areas.
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