Gordon Reid, Labor
Australians on the Central Coast will have more options for free, public mental health care backed by Medicare, thanks to a billion-dollar investment by a re-elected Albanese Labor Government.
The Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tuggerah will be upgraded to a full service and the Headspace in Gosford will be upgraded to a Headspace Plus.
Locals will have access to free, walk-in mental health support and care with the upgrade of an existing mental health service to a full Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tuggerah.
Medicare Mental Health Centres provide free, walk-in mental health support and care for people in distress and ongoing care for more complex mental health needs.
The centres are staffed by a multidisciplinary care team, including social workers, nurses and peer support workers, who will provide wraparound support and care across extended hours.
To boost access to specialist care, the Albanese Labor Government has invested an additional $29.9 million to provide access to psychologists and psychiatrists for every centre in the 2024-25 Budget.
The Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tuggerah is part of a $225 million election commitment to roll out 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres.
Further, Headspace provides a welcoming, youth-friendly space and highly trained staff who can provide help with mental health care, physical and sexual health care, alcohol and drug issues, and work and study.
Headspace centres assist the growing number of young people aged 12 to 25 years who experience or are at risk of mild to moderate mental ill-health.
SOURCE:
Media release, 8 Apr 2025
Gordon Reid, Australian Labor Party