Darwin Head to Health officially open

The centre, commissioned by Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NT PHN), and run by Neami National in partnership with Larrakia Nation, has fully opened to the public, offering social and emotional wellbeing and mental health support to adult Territorians. This follows a staged opening from early December.

Northern Territory Primary Health Network CEO Gill Yearsley said, “We are very excited to see Darwin Head to Health open. It will provide immediate support for people experiencing distress or crisis as well as ongoing support and assistance so that people can better navigate the mental health care system.”

The centre, located at 16 Scaturchio Street in Casuarina, is funded through an Australian Government national program.

Senator Dr Sam McMahon said, “Darwin Head to Health is one of eight trial centres the Australian Government is funding nationally to provide a welcoming, low stigma entry point for adults to access mental health information, supports and services.

We all know that in the Territory, our hospitals have a very high rate of admissions on a daily basis related to mental health. A centre such as this, can go a long way to reducing that burden and providing more holistic support services for Territorians. We are pleased to be providing $14M over four years towards the operation of Darwin Head to Health.”

The operation of the centre will be a collaboration between Neami National and Larrakia Nation so that support is culturally appropriate and meets local needs.
Neami National, CEO Tom Dalton said, “It has been a great experience working with Northern Territory PHN, Larrakia Nation and other partners to create a new type of service for Territorians, that has been driven and is responsive to, a community co-design process. Feedback and input from the local community has shaped the service to ensure it is trusted and meets the present and evolving needs of the people who use the service. We have worked closely with Larrakia Nation in the co-design and establishment of the new service ensuring that First Nation voices were heard in the physical design. The centre plans to have local traditional healers and elders work alongside the Head to Health team. Larrakia Artist Trent Lee also created an artwork for the centre that depicts two brolgas partnered in the dance of life. We encourage people to visit Darwin Head to Health to experience the support being offered. Many of the staff have a lived experience of mental health issues themselves and are passionate about helping people find the right care for their individual needs, Mr Dalton said.”

Northern Territory Acting Minister for Health, Nicole Manison said, “Mental health is a serious issue across the Territory with the global pandemic unfortunately increasing the demand on services. Darwin Head to Health will ensure more vital prevention services are available to adult Territorians in need of support.”

NT Health, AMSANT, Danila Dilba, Team Health and Anglicare have all provided invaluable input to the planning of the centre and will coordinate with Head to Health so that services are complementary.

Darwin Head to Health is open Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm and on weekends 12.00pm to 8.00pm. The contact number is 8914 6600. No appointment is required.
For more information on Darwin Head to Health you can visit: Darwin Head to Health – Northern Territory PHN

You can also subscribe to receive regular email newsletters via email:
DarwinHeadtoHealth@neaminational.org.au
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Contact:
NT PHN – Cassandra Buckley, Marketing & Communications Manager, Ph: 0448 800 438, E:
cassandra.buckley@ntphn.org.au

Neami National – Monika Engelhard, Senior Manager Strategic projects (Head to Health) Neami National,
Ph: 0409 406 136

Senator Dr Sam McMahon – Lance Northey, Ph: 0411 876 162

NT Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles, MLA – Jacob Wilson, Ph: 0447 805 301, E: Jacob.wilson@nt.gov.au