It is one of just 26 national AMHCs and the Western Sydney hub is one of the first to assist adults experiencing moderate to high mental health needs.
“The birth of the Head to Health model during COVID-19, set a new precedent for how we normalise mental health challenges and support people to access help,” CEO of the Western Sydney Primary Health Network Ray Messom said.
“Since September 2021, our Western Sydney Head to Health Pop Up centres have provided more than 6,000 sessions to community members.
“This new, permanent Adult Mental Health Centre will ensure that people of all backgrounds continue to access free, timely, quality mental health support.
“Of the 6000 plus clients supported, 18.2% have been flagged ‘at risk of suicide’, and a startling 61.3% reported they were unemployed. This highlights the desperate need for free mental health services in the region to help those struggling to feel heard and to find a path forward.”
The new, centre in Parramatta is located close to public transport and requires no referral, appointment or prior mental health diagnosis.
“We are incredibly pleased to have been appointed the service provider for the Head to Health Adult Mental Health Centre in Western Sydney,” Stride CEO Drikus van der Merwe said.
“We’ve been working alongside the Western Sydney Primary Health Network since 2013 and are proud to be championing this new hub of collaborative, multidisciplinary care.
“We’d like to congratulate everyone involved in establishing this new centre, from conception through to opening the doors”.
The Parramatta Head to Health centre official opening featured Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride.
“Since 2021, hundreds of people in Western Sydney have sought help for their mental health from a Head to Health Pop Up centre,” Ms McBride said.
“This shows how important readily available and free care is to people across the region. We’re expanding our permanent Head to Health network across Australia including this centre in Parramatta to make sure all Australians can access the care they need”.
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said : “Free immediate and accessible mental health services, seven days a week will be a gamechanger for people living and working in Parramatta.”
“The centre is very welcoming with tones of spaces customised to compliment the delivery of mental health and wellbeing support and make you feel comfortable”.
Head to Health Parramatta is open 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday, and 3pm to 7pm on weekends and public holidays.
Telephone 1800 595 212 or walk into the centre and speak to the team in person.
Head to Health Parramatta, Ground Floor, Suite 1, 150 George St, Parramatta. Website: www.wentwest.com.au/headtohealth
