Strengthening Mental Health Access: Geelong and Australia Wide.

I recently sat down with Pete Warden, Director of Mental Health Hubs at Neami National, to talk about the transformation of Head to Health into the Geelong Medicare Mental Health Centre.

This rebrand is more than a name change. It is part of a national rollout of Medicare Mental Health Centres across Australia. These centres are designed to make mental health support easier to access, stigma-free, and available to everyone who needs it, without the red tape that too often gets in the way.

Why “Medicare” Matters to Mental Health Access

Pete explained that aligning with the Medicare name taps into a deep level of public trust and recognition. “We are hopeful that this rebrand will increase community awareness of these vital services, ensuring more individuals and carers can access free and confidential mental health support when they need it,” he said.

The difference here is clear: no appointment, no referral, and no Medicare card are required, and you do not have to be an Australian citizen or resident to receive help.

The Heart Behind the Program

When I asked Pete what drives his work, his response was grounded in compassion and practicality.

“It is about creating spaces where people feel safe, heard, and supported, and making sure those spaces are available to anyone who needs them,” he shared. “Every day, I am focused on how we can better connect people to help, reduce the barriers they face, and ensure the care they receive is tailored to their needs.”

Pete’s leadership is shaped by a belief that mental health services should meet people where they are, not the other way around. This philosophy is woven into how these hubs operate nationwide.

Proven Impact

The approach is already showing results. According to Neami National’s 2023–24 service evaluation report:

• 87% of participants felt listened to and respected

• 81% experienced reduced distress during their visit

• 84% left with a clear plan for ongoing support

These outcomes are based on feedback gathered at the point of care and are used to refine and strengthen services over time. As Pete explained, “We do not just want people to feel better in the moment. We want them to leave with tangible next steps and connections that make a lasting difference.”

Services You Can Access

At the Geelong Medicare Mental Health Centre, people can walk in and connect to:

• Free mental health and wellbeing support, available without an appointment, referral, or Medicare card

• A multidisciplinary team including mental health clinicians, Peer Support Workers, and care coordinators

• Emotional support, resources, and guidance for families, friends, and carers

• Short-to-medium-term mental health care tailored to individual needs

• Strong partnerships with local providers such as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local (operated by Barwon Health), Wellways, and Drummond Street Services, ensuring quick and seamless referrals to specialist or ongoing care

This collaboration creates a safety net so that no matter where someone enters the system, whether through a hub, a hospital, or another service, they can be connected to the right help at the right time.

Starting with Geelong and rolling out across Australia

While the Geelong centre is already transforming local access to care, it is also part of something much bigger. The national Medicare Mental Health Centre network is bridging the gap between crisis services and longer-term support, with the goal of ensuring that anyone in Australia can walk into a centre and receive immediate, compassionate help.

🎧 Listen to the full interview here: https://www.leahv.com.au/media 

📍 Geelong Medicare Mental Health Centre: 8 Station St, Norlane VIC 3214| 1800 595 212 | www.neaminational.org.au