New mental health service opens its doors

Head to Health ready to provide mental health support

Mount Gambier Head to Health has kickstarted its operations at 13A Sturt Street, Mount Gambier, within the premises of FocusOne Health. Initially services will be available on the Tuesdays and Thursday, building up to five day per week by September. Sturt Street is a temporary location and this week marks the beginning of their commitment to providing essential Mount Gambier Head to Health services to the Limestone Coast community.

FocusOne Health has secured a lease at Unit 7, 165 Commercial Street East and this purposedesigned space will serve as the future home of Mount Gambier Head to Health, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals seeking mental health support.

The fitting-out process is underway, and it is anticipated operators will be welcoming the community to this new facility from October this year.

The Mount Gambier Head to Health centre is an initiative of the Australian Government, with funding provided through Country SA PHN to FocusOne Health. This initiative ensures that individuals in the community can access the mental health support they need, when they need it, at no cost.

Country SA PHN Chief Executive Officer Mark Hartigan said Country SA PHN was pleased that adults in the Limestone Coast would have a centre they can access for support from this week and a purpose designed new Head to Health space from October.

“The Head to Health site will offer access to information and services designed to empower, support, and improve psychological and physical health, and social and emotional wellbeing,” Mr Hartigan said.

“These services will be provided by an experienced team of trained mental health workers, supported by other specialised allied health professionals.

“Working to complement existing services, the Head to Health site will bridge a gap in mental health support for adults in the Limestone Coast community.”

Through the expansion of FocusOne Health services and the establishment of a dedicated space, their objective was to create a secure and easily accessible hub for mental health assistance.

The Mount Gambier Head to Health centre goes beyond providing direct service – it is designed to connect individuals with the specific services that best meet their needs.

It will prioritise building strong connections and offering comprehensive service navigation to ensure that each person receives the appropriate care and support they require.

The ultimate goal is to enhance accessibility by establishing seamless pathways that lead individuals to the most suitable and effective resources for their mental health journey.

FocusOne Health CEO Scerina Rasheed said they would like to express their gratitude to the community for their ongoing support, and invite everyone to stay engaged and updated on the progress of Mount Gambier Head to Health services.

“Together, we can strengthen mental health services, reduce stigma, and ensure that everyone in our community has access to the support they deserve”