Care for mental health
New hub offers greater support with growing focus on wellbeing
COUNSELLING services, psychological support, NDIS co-ordinators and clinical assessors are now all available under one roof at the new Cairns Mental Health Hub.
Launched on Friday to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, the new hub on Mulgrave Rd in Woree aims to provide a one-stop mental health facility.
Clients in need across the region can now access NDIS and government-funded services to improve mental wellbeing, with the hub playing a key role in suicide prevention.
Selectability chief executive Debra Burden said they had been operating across the region for over 40 years, at various locations, but the time had come to create a facility that had room for an exland,”
pansion of services and a more prominent presence.
“It is fitting that we officially open the Cairns Mental Health Hub on World Suicide Prevention Day with the suicide rate continuing to rise across regional Queens
she said. “The Cairns community has been telling us for some time that they would like to access more of our services, and we’re responding.
“We pride ourselves on providing services that are flexible and tailored to the needs of the people and communities we support.”
Long-time Selectability board member Tom Ryan unveiled the plaque at the opening alongside Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt.
The Minjil dance troupe performed a welcome to country and a traditional smoking ceremony before medical professionals, business leaders and carers.
Mr Pitt welcomed Selectability’s commitment to improving the mental wellbeing of the Far North community.
“Mental health support is something we need to be responding to as suicide rates climb in our community, especially during this global pandemic that we are all in the midst of experiencing,” he said.
“It is essential that we discuss mental health just as we discuss any illness and remove the stigma.
“If we have a headache, we don’t hesitate to tell someone. We need people to feel willing to pop into their local GP or places like the Cairns Mental Health Hub and explain how they’re feeling so the appropriate care and support can be given to them to get them through to the other side.”
Cairns Selectability general manager Ingrid Westthorp said programs on offer at the hub included dedicated counselling services and psychological support for both adults and children.
“Everyone is welcome and we offer support at every level and we have great referral partners that we work with every day,” Ms Westthorp said.