The Mental Health Co-Responder Program has commenced in Gladstone, enhancing frontline care for those experiencing a mental health crisis.
The program partners senior mental health clinicians from Central Queensland Health with senior paramedics from the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).
The Co-responder team attends mental health emergencies in the community, providing assessment and care where it’s most needed.
The Mental Health Co-Responder Program was first trialled in 2019 and has been growing in success ever since, now running in 20 sites across the state.
Central Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Director of Community Programs and Allied Health Ngari Bean said the program had proven to be a huge success in Rockhampton and she expected similar benefits for the community of Gladstone.
“We have seen that more than 75 per cent of patients attended by the Co-responder team receive assessment and treatment in their own home, rather than needing to go to our busy emergency departments,” Ngari said.
“For patients experiencing a mental health crisis, the hospital environment, processes and wait times can potentially cause further distress.
“The Mental Health Co-responder program enables many patients to stay at home, which is comfortable or familiar to them, and reduces stress on the people caring for them.
“Our experienced Co-responders can also provide referrals to other mental health support services, ensuring patients continue to receive care after the initial crisis has resolved.”
QAS Mental Health Response Director Sandra Garner said across the state, the Co-responder program assisted approximately 1,500 Queenslanders experiencing a mental health crisis each month.
“Patients suffering a mental health crisis still call Triple Zero (000), however instead of being transported by paramedics to an Emergency Department, the Mental Health Co-Responder team determine the best, most appropriate pathway for each patient.
“Patients are offered the same type of assessment they would otherwise receive at hospital; the Mental Health Co-Responder Program brings this service directly to them.”