The federal government has also launched its online Medicare mental health check in.
Health minister Mark Butler says Medicare Mental Health Centres have now delivered more than 500,000 free walk-in appointments, as the government moves ahead with plans to expand the network footprint to 92 centres.
It appeared that patients tended to present multiple times; according to the health ministers, the number of patients seen for free mental health support was “nearly 50,000”, while the number of free walk-in appointments totalled 501,579.
Despite the name, Medicare Mental Health Centres were not actually funded by Medicare. They received block funding outside of the MBS, and staff – who were a mix of psychologists, GPs, social workers and integrated mental health workers – were salaried.
They treated all patients, regardless of Medicare status, at no out-of-pocket cost.
According to Mr Butler, the most common presenting complaints were anxiety and mild depression.
Related
The Medicare Mental Health Centre milestone came just as the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing launched its free “Medicare Mental Health Check In” consumer awareness campaign.
Like the mental health centres, the online program included the word “Medicare”, but it was separate from the MBS.
It offered free, low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy via online courses.
The DoHDA will be advertising the service nationally through digital and print channels until June 2027.
Patients had to be 16 years or older and live in Australia, and no referral was required.
It was not intended for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
