The Townsville Medicare Mental Health Centre has been recognised for its commitment to culturally inclusive care, taking home the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Award at this month’s Queensland Mental Health Awards.
The centre was recognised for providing a “unique” service to northern Queensland – bridging barriers by ensuring inclusivity and transforming mental health support access, particularly for refugees, migrants, and culturally diverse communities.
This unique service was possible through the long-term partnership between Neami National who lead the centre and the Townsville Multicultural Support Group (TMSG).
The partnership combines professional mental health care with grassroots, cultural support, breaking down barriers of language, stigma, and access.
Townsville Medicare Mental Health Centre Clinical Service Manager Michelle Ramm said that to be recognised at the Qld Mental Health Awards was an “amazing feeling”.
“It was really nice to be recognised for the innovation and collaboration in delivering this service in partnership with TMSG,” Ms Ramm said.
“The positive community feedback and good news stories from guests accessing the centre are an ongoing reminder of the importance of making mental health support accessible for everyone and the difference this program makes”.
“Being recognised with this award was really special and rewarding.”
As part of the centre’s commitment to diversity, a dedicated Community Engagement worker supports guests from multicultural backgrounds to access the services, and a centre vehicle is used to help reduce transport barriers.
Multilingual resources are also accessible, as well as supported access through translating and interpreting services, and training opportunities with staff.
Ms Ramm said the collaboration of resources and the partnership ensures culturally and linguistically diverse Australians (CALD) feel “welcomed and connected”.
“[The service] supports recovery, builds confidence, and strengthens community cohesion, creating a powerful model of inclusive, community-driven mental health support,” she said.
Ms Ramm said she had observed increased ease of access for the multicultural community since the centre first opened in 2022.
Neami partnered with TMSG from the initial stages of operations to ensure culturally appropriate support was available for the community.
“Neami recognised the mental health needs of the CALD population in Townsville, which is a refugee settlement site,” Ms Ramm said.
“We recognise the need for support in migrant and refugee communities including women at risk, higher rates of mental ill-health, PTSD and suicidality, however despite this need, this often coincides with lower rates of mental health service use.”
The centre offers free, walk-in mental health, social, and emotional wellbeing support in a “welcoming space”, with no wait lists, or need for referral or appointment.
“The centre provides people with an alternative to emergency departments when they’re experiencing mental health distress or crisis. Immediate support is available without a wait,” Ms Ramm said.
About NQPHN
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) works together with our partners to connect existing local services to simplify the healthcare system, fund primary care and mental health services based on the needs of local communities and support primary care and mental health providers to build their skills and deliver the highest quality patient care.
For more information, visit www.nqphn.com.au