{"id":343334,"date":"2024-02-02T19:21:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T09:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=343334"},"modified":"2024-02-05T19:30:14","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T09:30:14","slug":"4-5m-invested-into-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/02\/02\/4-5m-invested-into-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"$4.5m Invested Into Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride cuts the ribbon while several members of the “co-design group” look on … Andrew Saal (ex-Lives Lived Well), Margie Hams (ex-SBRC), Kirsten Firman (South Burnett CTC) and Collette Ramsay (Qld Health)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February 2, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kingaroy\u2019s new mental health support service, Head To Health, has been “officially” opened, even though it is already supporting about 30 clients.<\/p>\n

The facility, located in the old garden centre building in Kingaroy Street, had a soft opening in mid-December while final work on the fitout was still under way.<\/p>\n

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride travelled to Kingaroy on Wednesday to do the official honours.<\/p>\n

The service is funded by the Federal Government via the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN but is being delivered in the South Burnett by Open Minds.<\/p>\n

Minister McBride said the Federal Government was proud to have invested $4.5 million with the PHN to commission the Kingaroy centre.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“This is an important investment into the local community’s mental health and well-being,” she said.<\/p>\n

The services offered have been \u201cco-designed\u201d by\u00a0 members of the health and welfare community in the South Burnett to best suit local needs.<\/p>\n

Members of this co-design group joined the Minister in the ribbon-cutting ceremony; they will now continue as a reference group to provide feedback as the service continues.<\/p>\n

The opening ceremony began with a Welcome To Country by Wakka Wakka Elder Eric Law AM, whose daughter Nikita has also been heavily involved in the project.<\/p>\n

Nikita has provided the artworks which hang throughout the building.<\/p>\n

It also included an energetic performance by the Wakka Wakka dancers which was enjoyed by the invited guests.<\/p>\n

The Kingaroy Head to Health facility has been conveniently – but discretely – located in the Kingaroy CBD to encourage people aged from 18 to 65 to simply walk in if they are experiencing distress or are in a crisis.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A multi-disciplinary team is on hand to provide assistance.<\/p>\n

The centre has been designed to be “welcoming”, with quiet spaces as well as opportunities to simply sit and chat.<\/p>\n

No referrals are necessary and, importantly, it is free.<\/p>\n

There are also plans to develop the large area at the rear as a community garden.<\/p>\n

Kingaroy Head To Health is open on Mondays to Thursdays from 10:00am to 6:00pm and on Fridays from 10:00am to 3:00pm (excluding public holidays).<\/p>\n

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