Medicare Mental Health Centres (formerly Head to Health services) are a free, safe and welcoming place to access mental health information, services and support.
Medicare Mental Health Centres (formerly Head to Health services) offer a walk-in service providing advice, support and, if needed, assessment and treatment for people 18 years and over experiencing emotional and psychological distress.
The centres offer immediate, short-term and medium-term care, and help connect people to ongoing services, when required. They are staffed by mental health nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and peer support workers.
Available services include:
- Initial assessment
- One-to one counselling
- Access to therapy groups
- Peer support
- Care coordination with other services or agencies (e.g. NDIS)
If a client’s care requires the input of a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist, staff will facilitate this via referral.
Location: 133 Fitzgerald Street, Northam
Cost: Free
Age group: 18 years and over
Availability: Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm (phoneline open 8.30am-5pm)
- Walk-in service
- No appointment needed
- No referral or Medicare card required
Duration: Immediate or short to medium term care
How to access:
Accessing the service is easy. You can can self-refer or be supported by relatives or service providers including GPs.
- Call the Head to Health Phone Service 1800 595 212 during office hours Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm to speak to a team member.
- Visit Northam Medicare Mental Health Centre at 133 Fitzgerald Street, Northam, no appointment necessary.
Head to Health evolving to become Medicare Mental Health Centres
Head to Health sites are evolving to provide access to even more mental health services for the community, as they transition to become Medicare Mental Health Centres by the end of 2024.
In the meantime, all Head to Health sites will operate as usual. This means new and existing clients can continue to receive the same free, high quality, compassionate mental health care at their local Head to Health site when they need it.
When the transition to Medicare Mental Health Centres takes place, the centres will be able to provide access to care for people with more complex mental health needs than they do currently.
The Australian Government is providing more funding to ensure people who need it can receive the care they need from a range of mental health professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists.