Tasmania’s fourth free walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centre has been officially opened in Glenorchy, with no appointment or referral needed.
The centre at 388 Main Road quietly opened its doors on August 24, offering free mental health support with no appointment or referral needed.
Assistant Federal Mental Health Minister Emma McBride said the early numbers showed the need in the community.
“I’m told that on one day, eight new people walked into the service,” she said.
It is the fourth Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tasmania and the 57th in the country.
The three existing Tasmanian centres, in Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, have delivered more than 22,000 free walk-in appointments. Nationally, the network has passed half a million.
McBride said for too long the mental health system has been too hard to navigate.
“So this is a new front door to mental health support and care,” she said.
The former mental health clinician said she had seen people reach crisis because support was not available in their community.
“I saw people in distress reach crisis simply because there wasn’t the support they needed in the community,” McBride said.
She said people who walk in are often greeted by a peer worker with their own lived experience and most go on to have about five or six appointments.
The centre is open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Stride Mental Health operations manager Jenny Dodd said the centre is averaging four to five walk-ins a day, not including ongoing appointments.
“The first thing is just to step through the door and start the conversation,” she said.
Dodd said the centre has three clinicians and two peer workers and is recruiting another clinician.
People can receive ongoing support for up to six months and a side entrance is available for those who do not want to be seen walking through the front door.
Dodd told of a woman who had walked past the centre for weeks, unsure whether to go in.
“Last week she took the first step through the door and now she’s got ongoing support,” she said.
Federal Lyons MP Rebecca White said the centre would give the community a place to get support.
“No one should feel like they need to struggle with their mental health alone,” White said.
“Reaching out for help can be difficult and knowing where to turn for support can make all the difference.”
Senator Carol Brown said the centre would be followed by a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Glenorchy in the coming months.
“It’s really all happening in Glenorchy,” she said.
A fifth Tasmanian centre is planned, as part of a federal plan to expand the national network from 61 to 92 centres.
The centre is part of the federal government’s $1.1 billion mental health investment. It is commissioned by Primary Health Tasmania and run by Stride Mental Health.
People seeking support can call 1800 595 212 or visit medicarementalhealth.gov.au.
