NQPHN has been funded by the Australian Government and will receive $14 million over four years to establish and operate the centre.

Townsville is one of eight sites nationally where the Adult Mental Health Centres will be trialled, along with Adelaide, Canberra, Corio (Geelong), Greater Darwin, Launceston, North Perth, and Penrith.

The aim of the centres will be to provide a welcoming, ‘no wrong door’ entry point for adults to access mental health information and advice and provide increased accessibility for individuals needing mental health support.

The centre will help to address some of the current gaps existing for people experiencing high levels of distress or suicidal crisis and will reduce the number of emergency department presentations by providing a more accessible entry point to the mental health system.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said the Adult Mental Health Centre will help to connect individuals with longer term care through integration with other local services, helping residents to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“This project is exceptionally exciting for Queensland, especially Townsville, as it prioritises improving access to adult mental health services for our residents,” Ms Whyte said.

“Through a co-design process, NQPHN and the prospective lead provider will be able to collaborate with the community and a range of Queensland stakeholders to ensure the centre meets local needs.

“The centre will provide holistic support for individuals and their families and carers, so that the services and care they receive is based on the individual’s needs and co-ordinated through the Adult Mental Health Centre.

“Importantly, we know that individuals need to be able to access the right services at the right time, and by working in collaboration with existing services in the community, the centre will mean that people will only need tell their story once.

“Our goal is that the centre will be recognised as a safe place for anyone within the community to go, without cost, and not just within office hours, to seek the support they need.”

NQPHN and the prospective lead provider will work closely with the Townsville community to ensure the centre is warm, welcoming, and embraces an evidence-based recovery approach that is client-centric.

Information on the national trial is available on the Australian Government Department of Health website.

The EOI will close on 11 June 2021.