Alice Springs residents will soon have access to free, walk-in mental health support and care with a new Medicare Mental Health Centre set to open.
The centre will offer mental health support and care for people in distress, without the need for an appointment, referral or mental health treatment plan.
Staffed by a multidisciplinary care team, including mental health clinicians and peer workers, care is tailored to the needs of each person who visits the centre.
As part of the $1.1 billion mental health election commitment, the Alice Springs Medicare Mental Health Centre will be expanded and open with enhanced services.
The Australian Government is building a national network of 91 Medicare Mental Health Centres, including 3 in the Northern Territory.
There are 45 Medicare Mental Health Centres now open and supporting communities, including in Darwin and Katherine.
The centre is being commissioned by the Northern Territory Primary Health Network with Neami and Central Australia Aboriginal Congress selected as the providers.
People seeking information or support can be connected with Medicare Mental Health by calling 1800 595 212 or visiting www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
"The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Medicare by delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities across the country.
"Alice Springs residents will soon be able to walk in and access the free support and care they need from a multidisciplinary care team.
"The centre will be led by Congress and Neami, delivering strong cultural and community connections across Alice Springs and Central Australia."
Quotes attributable to Minister McCarthy:
"All Australians should have access to the health care they need.
"That's why the Albanese Labor Government is strengthening Medicare and rolling out more places people can go to for free, public mental health care.
"This new and expanded Medicare Mental Health Centre will ensure residents of Alice Springs and nearby communities can access the mental health care they need."
Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari:
"Access to mental health resources play a huge role in ensuring Territorians get the care they deserve.
"If you are unable to secure an appointment or you cannot afford to see a mental health professional, this can have a big impact on people's mental wellbeing.
"The Albanese Government understands this and is working hard to get people the support they need. I strongly welcome this investment in the new Alice Springs Medicare Mental Health Centre."
Quotes attributable to Dr Donna Ah Chee, CEO of Central Australia Aboriginal Congress:
"It is really vital that our universal health system finds ways to make mental health care much more accessible for those people in our community that have serious mental illnesses so we can try to break the cycle of acute mental health crises.
"The impact of intergenerational trauma means that Central Australia has a high prevalence of severe mental illness, and these people need better community based, ongoing care. Their families also need a place they can more easily turn to for support.
"Congress is pleased to be able to partner with Neami to offer a really accessible new Mparntwe Medicare Mental Health Centre which will be for the whole community and ensure that people with serious mental illness have a facility in the centre of town that they are comfortable to access, and which has all of the care and support that they need."
Quotes attributable to Kim Holmes, Acting CEO of Neami National:
"Neami National welcomes the Commonwealth Government's continued commitment to expanding Medicare Mental Health Centres.
"We've seen firsthand the meaningful impact these services have in communities, and we're pleased Mparntwe Alice Springs will soon benefit from this support.
"We look forward to working with Congress, Northern Territory Primary Health Network and local stakeholders to design a service that reflects the unique needs of the community and helps more people access safe, timely care."
