New medicare mental health clinic for Tweed

A NEW Medicare Mental Health Centre will open in Tweed Heads to provide free, walk-in mental health care.

Co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, the centre will provide walk-in mental health support for people needing immediate, short, and medium-term care without a referral or appointment.

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health Emma McBride and Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot announced the funding of $1.3 million last Friday.

Elliot said the centre would provide immediate help for people in distress as well as ongoing care for those with more complex mental health needs.

“Medicare Mental Health Centres can also provide support for carers and families of people experiencing mental health distress and connect people with other services, from health to housing and employment,” Elliot said.

“To boost access to specialist care, the government is investing an additional $29.9 million to provide access to psychologists and psychiatrists through every centre.

“This is so vitally important for our community, which has faced the traumatic impacts of the 2022 floods and recently Cyclone Alfred,” she said.

Healthy North Coast CEO Monika Wheeler welcomed the funding for a new centre in the region after the proven success of two centres already operating in Lismore and Coffs Harbour.

“Demand for mental health services on the North Coast continues to grow, and having a dedicated centre like this in Tweed Heads with seven full-time clinicians and peer worker staff means that people will be able to get the support they need when they need it, at no cost,” Wheeler said.

“We know Medicare Mental Health Centres work. In the six months from July to December 2024, our centres in Coffs Harbour and Lismore helped 831 people.

“A new centre in Tweed Heads will complement existing services and ensure there is a clear pathway for people seeking help, whether they are experiencing a tough time, in distress, or need ongoing support,” she said.

The centre is expected to open its doors in late 2026.

For more information on Medicare Mental Health services on the North Coast, visit hnc.org.au/mental-health-support