Tasmania's Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs open

Tasmanian families now have access to free mental health support and care for their children at Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs in three locations - East Tamar, Burnie and Jordan River.

The Tasmanian Kids Hubs were officially opened by Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP, and Tasmanian Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer MP.

The Albanese and Rockliff Governments are supporting children’s mental health with a joint investment of $12.6 million to expand access to early intervention and mental health supports.

Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs provide free mental health and wellbeing services for children aged 0-12 and their families, carers and kin. These services support children who may be experiencing mild to moderate developmental, emotional, social or behavioural challenges.

Mental health clinicians, allied health professionals, care navigators and peer workers at the service will tailor care to the needs of each child and family who visits. Children and families don’t need a diagnosis or referral to access services or support at a Kids Hub.

Through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, the Commonwealth and State Governments have partnered to deliver the Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs.

This partnership forms part of a national initiative, with the Albanese Government investing nearly $85 million over four years to work with all state and territory governments to create a national network of 17 Kids Hubs.

The East Tamar Medical Mental Health Kids Hub is located at the Muylatina Child and Family Learning Centre at 30b Hargrave Crescent, Mayfield. It is open from Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm.

The Burnie Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub is located at the Burnie Child and Family Learning Centre, 36 Thorne Street, Burnie. It is open from Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm.

The Jordan River Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub is located at the Tagari Lia Child and Family Learning Centre, 23 Green Point Road, Brighton. It is open from Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm.

For more information about Kids Hubs and helpful resources, please visit Kids Hubs | Medicare Mental Health.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:“The Albanese Government is putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and quality care in the heart of Tasmanian communities.

“The Tasmanian Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs provide a safe and welcoming place for children and their parents, carers and kin.

“Local access to free mental health information and clinical services together with the support of multidisciplinary teams will make sure Tasmanian kids reach their potential and thrive.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer: “The Tasmanian Government is proud to deliver Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs in every region of Tasmania, and we’ve committed $6.28 million in-kind over four years to establish the three Kids Hubs.

“This is about catching challenges early and giving children and families the help they need, when and where they need it, and we’ve already seen nearly 1300 appointments being provided by the service.

“The three Hubs are delivered by our Child and Youth Mental Health Services in collaboration with our Child Health and Parenting Services, Paediatric Services, schools and Child Family and Learning Centres to ensure wrap-around care and truly co-ordinated support.

“The Kids Hubs represent another important step in strengthening Tasmania’s child and youth mental health system, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on Tasmanian families.”