Residents of Muswellbrook, Scone, and Singleton now have access to free mental health care with the opening of the Muswellbrook Medicare Mental Health Centre. The new facility offers a safe and welcoming environment for adults to receive mental health information, support, and care from a multidisciplinary team.
Located at 5/160 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, the centre will also provide outreach services to the Upper Hunter region. Residents can access help seven days a week without the need for a referral or appointment. The centre offers immediate support and follow-up care for individuals in crisis, as well as short to medium-term care for those with moderate to severe mental health needs.
This facility is the 11th of 22 Medicare Mental Health Centres set to open across the state. The Albanese Government has allocated an additional $29.9 million in the budget to enhance the clinical capabilities of the Medicare Mental Health Centre network, ensuring access to psychologists and psychiatrists on call.
The Australian Government and New South Wales Government have jointly invested $3.4 million to commission the service through the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network. The service is operated by Social Futures.
Assistant Minister McBride commented on the new centre:
“This new centre means that people in the Upper Hunter can access free mental health support and care closer to home. Improving mental health services in regional Australia is a high priority for the Albanese Government. Our network of 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres offers people access to free, walk-in mental health care and support, close to home.”
Dan Repacholi, Member for Hunter, also expressed his support:
“This new Medicare Mental Health Centre is a welcome addition to the health care services available in our community. Regional communities like the Hunter need and deserve expanded mental health services to meet need. This new centre will fill gaps in services available locally and work to reduce the impact of mental ill-health in our community.”
Minister Jackson highlighted the significance of the joint funding:
“The New South Wales Government is pleased to jointly fund this Medicare Mental Health Centre. It will make a huge difference to the people of Muswellbrook, Singleton and Scone. I encourage anyone needing mental health support to visit the new centre.”
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