Northern Adelaide Head to Health now open
Wednesday, June 05 2024
Community members in Northern Adelaide now have access to free, walk-in mental health and wellbeing support, with the opening of Northern Adelaide Head to Health.
Delivered by Sonder and funded by the Adelaide PHN, the Australian Government and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, the new centre provides immediate support for adults experiencing distress or crisis, without the need for an appointment or referral.
Northern Adelaide Head to Health provides:
- Immediate help to reduce distress.
- Help to safely cope with thoughts of suicide.
- Help to navigate through a crisis.
- Support to improve your wellbeing.
- Help to connect with ongoing support.
- Support for carers and families of people experiencing distress.
- Short-term support from mental health practitioners and clinicians.
Sonder Chief Executive Officer, Sageran Naidoo, said the organisation was pleased to launch the new service which builds on Sonder’s experience in delivering high-quality mental health services for the South Australian community.
“For many people, hospital and clinical settings can be overwhelming when experiencing emotional distress. Northern Adelaide Head to Health provides a very different experience with a calm, welcoming and inclusive environment which has been co-designed along with people from the northern community,” he said.
Adelaide PHN’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Murray said the organisation is pleased to commission the much-needed new service in Northern Adelaide, where psychological distress is 13.8% more than the national average.
“The centre will focus on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the community, by offering immediate support to those experiencing emotional distress and a coordination point for people and their families to connect with treatment services. The delivery of the centre aligns with our strategy and vision of shaping a health system that delivers better health outcomes for vulnerable people and a healthier Adelaide,” she said.
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Interim Chief Executive Officer, Karen Puvogel said the organisation is proud to partner with Adelaide PHN and Sonder in launching Northern Adelaide Head to Health.
“We know that the service will help provide better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for our community and at the same time provide a safe and welcoming alternative to our busy Emergency Departments,” she said.
Kat Elsby, Peer Practice Lead commented on the impact a service like Northern Adelaide Head to Health can have.
“The service is staffed by a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team of mental health clinicians, as well as peer practitioners with their own personal experiences of mental health challenges. Meaning that anyone who visits the service will be able to talk through their challenges with someone who understands what they are going through – without fear or judgement and in an environment where they feel respected and listened to,” they said.
Northern Adelaide Head to Health is located at 23 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth and is open from 8.30 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday, and 12 pm to 6.30 pm Saturdays and Sundays, and public holidays.
For more information, visit sonder.net.au/headtohealth