Walk-in After Hours Mental Health Service Extends Operating Hours
Monday, September 06 2021
Adelaide PHN commissions two Walk-in After Hours Mental Health Services across the Adelaide metropolitan region to provide immediate primary mental health care services and assessment and referral supports within the sociable after hours period.
The services enable people experiencing low acuity mental health conditions and associated difficulties, and their families/carers, to receive services and supports on a “no appointment necessary” basis (with or without formal referrals), with peer support and clinical services from trained mental health professionals.
Adelaide PHN CEO, Michelle McKay explains “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on all Australians with more than three quarters of people claiming their mental health has deteriorated since COVID-19. Ensuring mental health support is easily accessible during the day and after hours is crucial”.
“The Walk-in After Hours Mental Health Services are designed for people who are experiencing low acuity mental health distress, who require a step up to the care available from afterhours online or phone-based services, but who do not require hospital admissions”.
Staffed by mental health clinicians and peer support workers, individuals can speak to someone confidentially about what is going on for them right now, get in-person solution-focused support, helpful insights from peer workers with lived experience, and take-home strategies for dealing with short-term distress or situational crisis. With a comprehensive understanding of the sector, the services can also provide referrals and information about what other services can help.
The service was previously available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays from 5pm to 11pm. In response to community need and feedback, as of Monday 6 September, the service will be available from 5pm to 9pm in the North and from 5pm to 10pm in the South, Monday to Friday and will no longer be available on Saturday evenings.
The northern service operates from Sonder’s Edinburgh North premises and the southern service from the Noarlunga GP Plus Super Clinic.
For more information about the service, visit:
For mental health emergencies, contact SA Health Mental Health Triage on 13 14 65.
People in Adelaide seeking urgent mental health support can visit the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre at 215 Grenfell St from 12 pm until 10:30 pm each day, including weekends.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or requires emergency assistance contact 000 or Lifeline 13 11 14.