Opened in February 2025, the Mount Barker Medicare Mental Health Centre is now providing alternatives to the Emergency Department, for people living in the Adelaide Hills and surrounding regions, who are experiencing distress or crisis. The Centre was established as part of a national initiative to provide a welcoming place for anyone needing to access free and confidential mental health information, services and supports.
The Centre is jointly funded by Country SA PHN and the South Australian Government (DHW) and delivered by Summit Health as a walk-in service with no referral needed. It offers immediate support in a non-clinical environment for anyone that is concerned about their wellbeing or if someone they care about needs mental health support.
One year on, since opening, the Mount Barker Medicare Mental Health Centre has welcomed 636 guests and provided 5,743 service contacts to date. It has provided new pathways to access mental health in the Mount Barker region, with 25% of guests surveyed by Summit Health indicating that prior to its inception, they wouldn’t have known where to seek support. In addition, approximately 15% of guests surveyed indicated they would have presented to a hospital emergency department if the Centre didn’t exist.
Throughout the establishment of the Centre, the partnership with local services, community and people with lived experience has been integral to see the service co-designed to be well connected and integrated into the Mount Barker community. To learn more about the role co-design has shaped the Mount Barker Medicare Mental Health Centre, read the report.
Mount Barker Medicare Mental Health Centre is located at 2-4 Cameron Road, and is open 7-days a week including public holidays:
- Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 7pm
- Thursday to Friday: 9am to 9pm
- Saturday to Sunday: 12pm to 8pm
For more information go to Medicare Mental Health Centre - Summit Health or phone (08) 8473 6900.
