News

New mental health services for Western NSW

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The Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is pleased to advise that the new Medicare Mental Health Centres in Dubbo NSW and Bathurst NSW will be delivered by Stride Mental Health, along with partners Clarity Health Care and Wellways, from November 2024.


Medicare Mental Health Centres – formerly known as Head to Health – provide a safe and welcoming space for people in distress or in need of help finding the right mental health support, for themselves or their loved ones. Adults living in Australia will be able to walk in and talk to someone for mental health support, on the spot care and assessment. Services are free and you do not need an appointment, referral or Medicare card to visit a Medicare Mental Health Centre.


The new services in Dubbo and Bathurst are co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, to provide a streamlined approach to support better mental health and social wellbeing across the country. The new services in the western NSW region will ensure that residents and communities will receive the right support when and where it is needed. This includes:


immediate mental health support for people in distress;
timely short-term support to meet mental health and well-being requirements;
help access to local support within mental health;
provide information, referrals, and navigation of services to people seeking mental health support for themselves, their carer’s and their loved ones.


Services will be delivered in a culturally safe environment to increase accessibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and members of the LGBTIA+ communities.