THE Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre has celebrated supporting nearly 500 locals in its first year of operation.
The walk-in service, funded through Healthy North Coast, is located at Coffs Harbour Community Village where it offers free, short-to-medium term mental health care with no need for a referral.
It caters to anyone over 18 experiencing mental health distress.
Sean Hayes, Program Services Manager, says the centre is filling a critical gap in the region.
“This service was designed for what we call ‘the missing middle’ – people who don’t qualify for acute services and can’t access private practice or other community services due to cost, wait-times or referral criteria.
“Access to good mental health support shouldn’t just be for the rich.”
The centre sees around 150 people each month.
In its first year, it delivered over 5000 clinical sessions, with 82 percent of clients reporting significant improvements in wellbeing.
Mr Hayes explained that Coffs Harbour has long faced mental health challenges exacerbated by economic and social factors.
According to a Healthy North Coast’s Health Needs Assessment, the region shows elevated levels of psychological distress compared to national averages.
The Medicare Mental Health Centre is helping to meet this need, with 36 percent of its clients currently unemployed and 13.5 percent of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
Over a third are unemployed and men are largely represented – reflecting the barriers they typically face in accessing care.
Presenting issues include depression (25%), anxiety (18.4%), PTSD (13%) and trauma-related disorders, with substance use commonly identified as a coping strategy.
These trends highlight the importance of easily accessible, community-based services in tackling mental illness and the broader social determinants of wellbeing.
Mr Hayes said the service can be life changing.
“A lot of people come in with depression, anxiety, PTSD or trauma histories, and many haven’t been able to access help before.”
Coffs Harbour local Stan Ward, who spoke at the anniversary event, credits the centre with helping him cope after suddenly losing most of his vision.
“About four months ago I lost my main eyesight — I’ve only got about 20 percent left,” he said.
“So I was carrying a lot of negativity, being disabled and carrying a cane.
“When my daughter found out about the centre, she brought me over. I got an appointment for the next day.”
Stan now sees a counsellor fortnightly.
“She’s been amazing. She helped me open pathways not to carry negative thoughts.
“When something like this happens to you, people just drop off. Without this help, my mental health would be really bad.”
Stan now uses walking as a coping mechanism with the bonus that people recognise him and start chatting.
So he gets a “bit of community too”.
He believes he probably wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of accessing another service, which would have taken a lot more time to arrange.
“The point I was at, it was quite urgent for me to get that support.”
People can access up to six months of mental health counselling and peer support to help with social connection and practical tasks, and guidance on linking to other services such as housing or employment.
The Centre is open weekdays from 8am–6pm, with Saturday appointments available.
To make an appointment, call 1800 595 212.
By Leigh WATSON
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