New walk-in mental health centre opens in Midland

1 Mar 2022

The centre is part of an Australian Government initiative to trial a number of adult mental health centres nationally, aiming to improve access to mental health services for people experiencing distress, whose condition may be too complex for many existing primary care services but doesn’t meet the criteria for acute services. 

St John of God Social Outreach CEO, Susan Cantwell, says Midland Head to Health will provide a new approach in the mental health system. “By providing an open door, free, extended-hours community service and by not requiring a referral or appointment, Midland Head to Health will remove some of the most significant barriers to accessing appropriate and quality mental health care.” 

A range of mental health professionals and support staff will be on hand at the centre to provide advice and support, along with assessment and short-to medium-term treatment if needed. 

With input from members of the community with lived experience, the centre has been co-designed to feel welcoming and safe for everyone who visits, including LGBTIQ+ people, Aboriginal people and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. 

“It was a priority for us that this centre was designed to feel welcoming to everyone, no matter who they are. We’ve worked extensively with consumers, family members and carers from a variety of diverse backgrounds, local health professionals and service providers, local government and the wider community to ensure the new centre reflects local needs and delivers the best possible outcomes for the community,” Susan said. 

Design elements of the building - such as the reception area’s undulating, river-like ceiling installation - were intentionally selected to evoke emotional safety and calmness, and to reflect the natural tones and organic landscape of the Midland area and Aboriginal cultural heritage of the area. 

St John of God Health Care has a strong tradition of care and expertise in provision of mental health care operating specialist mental health hospitals, acute care facilities and community services in Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. 

Operating the new Midland Head to Health adult mental health centre contributes to our organisation’s mental health strategy, which seeks to expand our services in response to community need and design services with a strong person-centred philosophy to provide a better experience for mental health consumers.