Specialist mental health support team expands to northern Tasmania

The Tasmanian Government’s highly successful Mental Health Emergency Response service has expanded to Northern Tasmania.

Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Roger Jaensch, said the service ensures more people can access the right mental health care, in the right place, at the right time.

“This highly successful mental health service is now operating in all three regions in Tasmania,” Minister Jaensch said.

“The integrated co-response model brings together mental health clinicians, paramedics and police to provide timely and appropriate care to Tasmanians in the community.

“The completion of the statewide rollout is a significant milestone in our Government’s record investment in mental health and forms part of our long-term plan to deliver a world-class mental health system.

“This expansion also delivers on a key part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.”

The services commenced in March, with the Mental Health Emergency Response team now attending callouts in the northern community seven days per week from 1pm to 11pm.

“Since January 2022, the teams have attended more than 6000 callouts across the State, supporting Tasmanians to remain in the community and avoid unnecessary hospital attendances or admissions in nearly three quarters of cases,” Minister Jaensch said.

“We know the emergency department isn’t always the best place for people with mental ill health and evidence demonstrates that being supported to stay in a community environment through dignified and compassionate care leads to much better outcomes.”

Expanding this service to Northern Tasmania was a recommendation from the Independent Review of Tasmania’s Major Hospital Emergency Departments.

Development of the service was led by a Project Reference Group, which included representation from mental health peak bodies Mental Health Lived Experience Tasmania and Mental Health Family and Friends Tasmania.