More than 6,000 Gold Coasters are expected to access free mental health support over the next year, following the official opening of a new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Pimpama.
The Northern Gold Coast Medicare Mental Health Centre on Dixon Drive offers free, walk-in care for people experiencing mental health challenges or psychological distress, with no referral or appointment needed.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride joined Senator Murray Watt to officially launch the service, which aims to keep pace with the booming population across the northern Gold Coast.
McBride said the centre would give locals access to psychologists, counsellors, social workers and peer workers when they need support.
“We know one in five adults suffer from mental health challenges every year, and now those people will be able to access free mental health care through a psychologist, counsellor, social worker and or peer worker at the Northern Gold Coast Medicare Mental Health Centre,” Minister McBride said.
Jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, the Pimpama facility is the 17th Medicare Mental Health Centre in Queensland and part of a national network of 57 centres.
Nearly 80,000 free walk-in appointments have already been delivered through the Queensland network, with Senator Watt describing the Pimpama opening as “another step forward” for Gold Coast health services.
“It’s great to see this fantastic new health service delivered for Gold Coasters, especially for the growing northern corridor,” Minister Watt said.
“Access to good, affordable mental health assistance can make a world of difference for a person in need, as well as their family and community, so it’s excellent to see this facility open here in Pimpama.”
