Medicare Mental Health Centre Lismore

The Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre addresses the need for free, accessible mental health support for adults experiencing emotional distress, mental health concerns or crisis. It provides an alternative to hospital emergency departments for people who need timely mental health care but do not require emergency medical treatment.

The Centre also supports people whose needs may be too complex for standard primary care but who do not meet the criteria for specialist public mental health services. By offering early intervention, assessment, short-term treatment and connections to other services, the Centre helps reduce barriers to care and improves access to the right support at the right time.

The Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre delivers person-centred, trauma-informed and recovery-focused care through a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, peer workers and allied health practitioners. Services are provided in a welcoming, low-stigma environment where people can walk in, self-refer or be referred by a health professional.

The Centre uses a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring every person receives an assessment, immediate support where needed, and care that matches their level of need. Support may include short-term evidence-based treatment, care coordination, group programs and referrals to longer-term or specialist services through strong partnerships with local providers.

The Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre provides:

• Mental health assessment and brief intervention.
• Individual counselling, psychology and social work services.
• Mental health nursing and peer support.
• Group programs that build coping skills, resilience and wellbeing.
• Care coordination and service navigation.
• Support for people experiencing emotional distress or crisis.
• Connections and referrals to local health, community and specialist services.
• Collaborative care delivered with GPs, hospitals and community organisations to provide seamless

The Lismore Medicare Mental Health Centre aims to improve access to timely mental health support and make it easier for people to receive the care they need.

The program seeks to reduce distress, improve mental health and wellbeing, strengthen recovery, and connect people with ongoing supports where required. It also aims to reduce unnecessary presentations to hospital emergency departments, improve coordination across the mental health system, and ensure people receive the right care at the right time in a welcoming, community-based setting.