Media Release - Monday 26 February 2024

The Hon Emma McBride MP - Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health
David Smith MP - Member for Bean

The Tuggeranong community will soon have a safe place to access free mental health support, with a new Head to Health mental health service for adults receiving funding and set to open later this year.

The new service will commence operation in mid to late 2024 and offers Canberrans living within the Tuggeranong region a safe and welcoming place to access mental health information, services and supports. The service builds on the existing Canberra Head to Health centre located in Civic, which opened in December 2021.

Head to Health services include immediate support and follow-up for people presenting in crisis, as well as short to medium term care for people with moderate to severe mental health needs.

Through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement bilateral schedule with the ACT Government, the Commonwealth and ACT have committed to work together to address service gaps and provide more integrated, seamless mental health care for adults and older adults.

Head to Health in Tuggeranong is funded by the Australian Government, with $3.5 million over four years provided to Capital Health Network (ACT Primary Health Network) to commission this new service.

Anyone can access Head to Health services by calling 1800 595 212, or visiting Canberra Head to Health at 7/14 Childers Street, Canberra, before the Tuggeranong service opens its doors later this year. For more information please refer to the Head to Health website.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:

“The Albanese Government is delivering 61 Head to Health centres across the country, providing mental health support services closer to home.

“With the opening of the Tuggeranong Head to Health later this year, the community will have a dedicated, walk-in service that offers mental health information, services, and supports.

“We’re delivering Head to Health’s tailored to the needs of local communities, which is why over coming months this service will be co-designed with local people who understand the needs of Canberrans.”

Quotes attributable to David Smith MP, Federal Member for Bean:

“It’s great to see one of these centres in Tuggeranong that will be easily accessible to most of the community in Bean.

“The new Head to Health service is a welcome addition and will offer ongoing support for people across our community who are struggling with their mental health.”