Mental Health

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) delivers comprehensive mental health, rehabilitation and addiction assessment and treatment to the North Queensland community.

Our programs focus on individual outcomes and each consumer’s personal recovery. From children to older persons, we provide services across a number of settings including community care, inpatient units, hospitals, and residential rehabilitation and supported accommodation. Our team also works closely with a number of partner organisations that provide a range of non-acute mental health assistance to our community.

If you or someone you know is looking for mental health or addiction help, please call 13 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55).

Our programs focus on individual outcomes and each consumer’s personal recovery. From children to older persons, we provide services across a number of settings including community care, inpatient units, hospitals, and residential rehabilitation and supported accommodation. Our team also works closely with a number of partner organisations that provide a range of non-acute mental health assistance to our community.

If you or someone you know is looking for mental health or addiction help, please call 13 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55).

Accessing Our Services
New consumers and consumers re-entering the service
New consumers and consumers re-entering the service can access 24/7 specialist mental health crisis care and support through 13 MH CALL (1300 64 2255). This service is staffed by our Acute Care Team who triage and refer you to the most appropriate type of care for your situation.

Existing consumers
Existing consumers should contact the team by phoning 4433 3068.

General practitioners (GP) and external agencies
General practitioners and external agencies can make referrals directly by phoning 13 MH CALL (1300 64 2255).

All our services are completely confidential.

Accessing our services in person
Townsville

From 8:30am – 4:30pm, consumers can present to the Acute Care Team office at the front of the Acute Mental Health Building at Townsville University Hospital, 100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas.

After-hours consumers can present to Townsville University Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Consumers outside Townsville should see their GP for a referral or can present to their local hospital Emergency Department or contact the mental health team in their rural facility

Services: 
Acute Care Team (ACT):
The Acute Care Team is the first point of contact for public mental health services. The team provides a 24/7 service that triages consumers and organises either inpatient, community or crisis intervention care based on their individual needs.

Mental Health Rehabilitation:
Mental Health Rehabilitation is provided to consumers with moderate to severe long-term mental illness who require more complex support to help them live within the community. The goal of the rehabilitation service is to assist consumers to gain confidence and to live independently.

Community Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CCYMHS):
The Community Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CCYMHS) provides comprehensive assessment, treatment, and management of for children and adolescents up to 18 years of age with severe and/or complex mental health conditions. These conditions may include depression, anxiety, suicidal or self-harming behaviour, eating disorders, psychosis, trauma, and significant interpersonal and relationship difficulties.

Rural Community Mental Health Services:
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service is committed to providing accessible mental health care for consumers in their own communities, close to their home and support networks. A community mental health service is available in the Burdekin (Ayr and Home Hill), Ingham, Charters Towers and on Palm Island.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Assessment and Engagement Service (ATSIWAES):
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Assessment and Engagement Service (ATSIWAES) streamlines the way culturally appropriate mental health services are delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers. The ATSIWAES program consists of two teams, the Cultural Assessment and Liaison Team and the Social Emotional Mental Wellbeing Team.

Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMHS):
Townsville Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMHS) is a community-based service providing assessment and treatment for older adults in the community. The service aims to support general practitioners (GPs) and other health and aged-care providers by assessing and recommending treatment for older adults with mental health problems.

Specialist Mental Health Clinicians:
Specialist mental health clinicians are a diverse team of specialist clinicians who provide support to consumers with specific needs and backgrounds.

Addiction Services:
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) provide a range of services including intake and assessment, outpatient (ambulatory) withdrawal, opiate substitution program, Diversionary and Recovery Team (DART), counselling and assessment for youth and adults, health promotion, needle and syringe program and culturally appropriate support and stakeholder engagement.

Support and Engagement:
Lived Experience Service Supports
The Townsville HHS is committed to ensuring the best possible care for our consumers, their carers and their families. We have several engagement and advisory teams to help drive our care, shape our services and educate our staff and consumers.

Mental Health – Your Rights:
As a consumer, or as the family member of a consumer who is currently receiving treatment through a Queensland Health facility, you may have questions about your rights and the support that is available to you.