The Port Pirie community can now access free, walk-in mental health support following the official launch of the new Port Pirie Medicare Mental Health Centre on 8 November.
We were honoured to be joined at the launch by South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton MP and Member of the South Australian House of Assembly Geoff Brock MP, who officially opened the service with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, alongside Country SA PHN CEO Mark Hartigan and Neami National Executive Director of Operations Kim Holmes.
The Port Pirie Medicare Mental Health Centre offers caring, inclusive and confidential support for adults who are experiencing distress and overwhelm, or those who are worried about themselves or someone they care about.
People in Port Pirie experiencing mental health challenges can visit the centre for immediate, confidential, and inclusive support—no appointment, referral, or Medicare card required. The service is open to all adults, including those who are not Australian citizens or residents.
Staffed by mental health professionals, including clinicians such as psychologists and social workers, as well as peer workers with lived experience of mental health challenges, the centre also offers additional on-call clinical support.
Kim Holmes, Neami Executive Director, shared, “We know that accessibility in the community is really important. We deliver six other Medicare Mental Health Centres across the country along with the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre in Adelaide. People have told us how important these are, and how they value the services being compassionate, non-judgemental and supportive of their needs no matter what their background is.”
The Port Pirie Medicare Mental Health Centre is part of a growing national network of services (previously named Head to Health centres), providing accessible, compassionate care close to home.
Located at 129 Ellen Street, Port Pirie, the centre is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
The Medicare Mental Health Centre in Port Pirie is delivered by Neami National and funded by Country SA PHN.