Open Minds will be providing increased access to mental health supports for adults in the Darling Downs and West Moreton region after being recently appointed as the lead agency of the Head to Health services in Ipswich and Kingaroy.
Head to Health will offer free mental health support that will complement existing services and meet local demand for much-needed mental health support.
The Head to Health centres are a positive step forward for improving the well-being of Queenslanders and will improve the accessibility and quality of care for people seeking mental health support by offering a free, no referral service.
Open Minds was appointed following a comprehensive tender process led by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN. The PHN secured funding for the two Head to Health sites as part of a national $487.2 million Mental Health and Suicide Prevention package in May 2022.
Open Minds Chief Operating Officer, Kate Johnson said Open Minds is well equipped to deliver quality mental health support to the Ipswich and Kingaroy communities.
“Open Minds has proud Queensland origins and have been providing support for people with mental-ill health for over 110 years. We currently deliver the Head to Health service in Lismore and we have seen the positive outcomes to people’s lives first hand,” said Kate.
“Together with our strong reputation and expertise providing community mental health services, we are well placed to provide a welcoming space for the Ipswich and Kingaroy communities.
“Services such as Head to Health are life changing for people and their families living with mental ill-health and I welcome the strong future investment into Queensland by the Commonwealth.
“We are extremely motivated to improve the lives of people living with mental ill-health and recognise the critical shortfall of accessible mental health services, we are honoured to provide real alternatives to hospitals, GPs, for people needing support,” she said.
Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN Chief Executive Officer, Lucille Chalmers, announced Open Minds as the successful provider of the Head to Health services in Ipswich and Kingaroy, and Neami National as the Head to Health Phone Line Provider on Thursday, 25 May 2023.
“The PHN had undertaken a comprehensive process to determine the most suitable service providers. Neami National and Open Minds are both long-standing mental health service providers who are highly capable of delivering these services,” said Ms Chalmers.
Co-design panels in Kingaroy and Ipswich provided significant input into the requirements of the Ipswich and Kingaroy services prior to the tender process.
“We have worked closely with our partners in the community to co-design Head to Health services that will complement existing services and meet local need,” said Ms Chalmers
Open Minds General Manager Integrated Mental Health QLD, Michelle Underhill is thrilled with Open Minds recent appointment to lead agency.
“We’re looking forward to working with Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, Hospital and Health Services, general practice and other community-based mental health services, and becoming an integrated partner in community mental health in Ipswich and Kingaroy,” Michelle said.
Head to Health adult mental health centres provide a safe and welcoming space for people, their family and friends, who may be in distress or crisis, or need help finding the right mental health services for their individual needs.