New mental health service to support people doing it tough in the Hawkesbury

A Head to Health Pop Up service has launched across the Nepean Blue Mountains – which includes the Hawkesbury – to support people whose mental health is being affected by the current COVID outbreak and restrictions

Last month, the Federal Government announced $10.6 million in funding to rapidly establish an integrated mental health support line across NSW, and 10 Head to Health Pop Up services in areas facing extended COVID restrictions.

Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, has worked to establish the service locally.

“We are proud to announce that after a huge effort over the last few weeks our Head to Health Pop Up service is now up and running, as are the other nine Pop Ups across NSW,” Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Ms Lizz Reay said.

Macquarie MP Susan Templeman welcomed the development.

“I’ve encouraged people to use Head to Health on social media, because any increase in access to mental health services for people in the Hawkesbury is very welcome right now,” Ms Templeman said.

“Nearly everyone I speak to knows of someone whose mental health has suffered with lockdowns, and Head to Health is operating locally, with local clinicians, to provide easier access to support and services.

“It’s free, it’s there to help, and that help can start with a simple phone call.”

Ms Reay said, “the service has been set-up to be integrated with existing mental health services in each local area, with the additional support of 10 Head to Health Pop Up mental health hub locations which can provide mental health care through tele-health or COVID-safe face-to-face appointments.”

The free service is open to anyone in NSW of any age, including children, young people and older adults, whose mental health is suffering because of the current COVID situation. No referral is needed.

To access the service, call 1800 595 212 Monday to Friday between 8:30am – 5:00pm from anywhere in NSW. Callers will be asked to enter their postcode and will then be transferred to a local, trained mental health professional, who will talk to them about their concerns and help guide them to the local mental health support for their individual needs.

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