House debates

Monday, 14 February 2022

Statements by Members

Mental Health

4:01 pm

Photo of Melissa McIntoshMelissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Delivering my election commitments means delivering for my community, and that is absolutely what I'm focused on. That's why I'm so proud that I have delivered one of Australia's first Head to Health clinics, a mental health clinic in my community in Penrith. I want people to have the highest quality care and support when they need it most. I worked really hard for that $14 million investment. I was really pleased to very recently open that with David Coleman, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

This centre will ensure our community has access to mental health and wellbeing services 365 days a year. The pandemic has shown how crucial it is for us to provide support and wellbeing to people who need it most in our community. It will play a central role by supporting local GPs, private and public hospitals and emergency departments.

I thank our local PHN CEO Lizz Reay, Neami health and the Lindsay Healthy Active Living Network for their collaboration on this wonderful project. It was a real collaboration, bringing the needs and real-life experiences together to create something that will make a difference to people's lives. The centre can be contacted through the Head to Health phone line on 1800595212. It's open, as I said, 365 days a year.