Community mental health services are currently being provided by the Cairns Integrated Mental Health Service, which is the entity that is responsible for providing these services. Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) are located in a separate facility from the rest facilities.
An integrated health facility will be established as a result of this enormous overhaul. This facility will house a variety of services, including AODS, primary healthcare, and non-government groups, all under one roof. Clients who are looking for mental health services will also be able to receive additional specialized therapies at this facility.
It is anticipated that the provision of financing will result in the expansion of existing services and the recruitment of additional peer workers. These peer workers will have personal experience with mental illness, alcoholism, or other substance addictions, and they will be able to draw on their own life-altering experiences in order to better connect with others and provide support to them as they travel the path to recovery.
The process of co-designing models of care will entail the participation of patients and health partners, with the current and future requirements of the community being taken into consideration.
The construction is expected to begin in the year 2025 and be completed the following year. It is projected that the construction will be completed.
According to Leena Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, the region of Cairns and Hinterland has been selected as a high priority location for increased investment in mental health services and support. This decision was made in order to ensure that the region receives this increased investment.
She explained that this was due to the region’s suicidal rates being significantly higher than the average, in addition to the growing population in the area.
For persons who are receiving mental health care, it is projected that the renovated center would provide increased therapeutic pathways and experiences for those individuals.
Our clients will have access to primary health support, tertiary-level mental health therapies, and aid for alcohol and other substances, which will put the client at the heart of the care that they receive that they receive.
Because of the expansion of our community services for mental health, individuals will have access to early intervention and continuous care, which can help reduce the amount of burden that is placed on hospitals and emergency services agencies.
Individuals who are experiencing psychological distress can benefit from this, and it also makes a contribution to the overall well-being of our communities. This is a win-win situation.
Wade Norrie, who is the director of the Mental Health Service at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, has expressed his contentment with the investment and further indicated that it will result in an enhancement of the mental health services that are now provided in the region.
He indicated that the building that is situated on Sheridan Street would be redeveloped in order to provide an integrated mental health, alcohol, and other drug facility. This was stated by him.
The services will be developed to strengthen our models of care, and they will involve collaboration with non-governmental groups and professionals in specialized fields. This will allow us to better meet the expectations of our clients.
“The investment of $1.3 million to expand existing community-based mental health services will include the creation of two new roles for peer workers with lived experience within our community services,” according to the official announcement.
The services that these professions provide will be beneficial to our clients since they will assist them in navigating the system, connecting with therapy, receiving care, and recovering.