wellness
Gold Coast Locals Build Practical Daily Habits Around Mental Health Services
Residents are incorporating calls to the Mental Health Access Line and sessions with Supporting Minds into their routines to address mild to moderate symptoms.
How we reported this
The Gold Coast Mental Health Access Line at 1300 642 255 supplies 24-hour specialist mental health care, education, support and referrals for residents aged 18-64, giving locals a reliable first step they can use any time symptoms arise.
Accessing 24-Hour Support
Many residents now treat the Access Line as part of a daily check-in habit rather than waiting for a crisis. The service covers education and referrals, allowing people to speak with a specialist without leaving home and to receive guidance on next steps suited to their situation.
Short-Term Clinical Services
Supporting Minds provides free, fully-funded clinical mental health support for mild to moderate symptoms on the Gold Coast and includes a dedicated stream for the LGBTIQAP+ community. Locals are scheduling short-term appointments through this program as a regular habit to manage symptoms early, closing part of the documented gap where only 26% of residents with mild mental disorders received treatment compared with 94% of those with severe disorders.
Community Events for Awareness
The inaugural Gold Coast Wellbeing Week, held 9-15 September 2024 and organised by the Gold Coast Suicide Prevention Community Collaborative, encouraged connection and open discussion of mental health and suicide prevention. Residents who attended or followed the week’s activities have continued similar habits of community connection and awareness beyond the event dates.
Earlier data showed Gold Coast suicide and self-inflicted injury episodes reached 781 in 2013/14, with anxiety and depression rates per capita at 559 per 100,000, higher than any point between 2000 and 2012. These figures underline why consistent daily habits around available services remain important for early intervention.
Residents seeking to adopt similar habits can contact the Gold Coast Mental Health Access Line or enquire about Supporting Minds through local health channels to find support matched to their needs.