Uptake and Experience of Mental Health Crisis Support at Adelaide’s Urgent Mental Health Care Centre
Tracks
Cullinan Room: In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
| 1:50 PM - 2:10 PM |
Overview
Lainey Reynolds, Ashleigh Gallagher & Taila Leonello, Neami National
Presenter
Ashleigh Gallagher
Urgent Mental Health Care Centre – Clinical Lead
Neami National
Uptake and Experience of Mental Health Crisis Support at Adelaide’s Urgent Mental Health Care Centre
Abstract
The Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (UMHCC) in Adelaide's CBD provides an alternative to emergency department presentation for people experiencing a mental health crisis. With no referral needed and open 24/7, the UMHCC offers people immediate support in a calming modern environment staffed by clinicians and lived experience workers. Staff work together in a fusion model where clinical and lived experience perspectives combine to provide the best outcomes for guests. Lived experience workers make up 50% of the direct service delivery team and work in a transdisciplinary model with clinicians, nurses and doctors where all views of the guests' care are considered equally. The UMHCC service model and environment were codesigned from trauma informed principles and provides a unique offering in contrast to traditional mental health services. The UMHCC is delivered by Neami National in partnership with USA based Recovery Innovations who have extensive experience in delivering mental health crisis support. The UMHCC was established under the federal governments head to health initiative, with further funding provided by SA Health to deliver a 24/7, free service.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The value of lived experience in delivering modern mental health support
2. Demonstration of the "fusion model" in practice
3. Demonstration of a viable alternative pathway for MH crisis support other than an ED
Three Key Learnings:
1. The value of lived experience in delivering modern mental health support
2. Demonstration of the "fusion model" in practice
3. Demonstration of a viable alternative pathway for MH crisis support other than an ED
Biography
Bio not provided
Taila Leonello
Urgent Mental Health Care Centre – Peer Support Worker
Neami National
Uptake and Experience of Mental Health Crisis Support at Adelaide’s Urgent Mental Health Care Centre
Abstract
The Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (UMHCC) in Adelaide's CBD provides an alternative to emergency department presentation for people experiencing a mental health crisis. With no referral needed and open 24/7, the UMHCC offers people immediate support in a calming modern environment staffed by clinicians and lived experience workers. Staff work together in a fusion model where clinical and lived experience perspectives combine to provide the best outcomes for guests. Lived experience workers make up 50% of the direct service delivery team and work in a transdisciplinary model with clinicians, nurses and doctors where all views of the guests' care are considered equally. The UMHCC service model and environment were codesigned from trauma informed principles and provides a unique offering in contrast to traditional mental health services. The UMHCC is delivered by Neami National in partnership with USA based Recovery Innovations who have extensive experience in delivering mental health crisis support. The UMHCC was established under the federal governments head to health initiative, with further funding provided by SA Health to deliver a 24/7, free service.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The value of lived experience in delivering modern mental health support
2. Demonstration of the "fusion model" in practice
3. Demonstration of a viable alternative pathway for MH crisis support other than an ED
Three Key Learnings:
1. The value of lived experience in delivering modern mental health support
2. Demonstration of the "fusion model" in practice
3. Demonstration of a viable alternative pathway for MH crisis support other than an ED
Biography
Bio not provided
Mrs Lainey Reynolds
Urgent Mental Health Care Centre – Clinical Services Manager
Neami National
Uptake and Experience of Mental Health Crisis Support at Adelaide’s Urgent Mental Health Care Centre
Abstract
The Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (UMHCC) in Adelaide's CBD provides an alternative to emergency department presentation for people experiencing a mental health crisis. With no referral needed and open 24/7, the UMHCC offers people immediate support in a calming modern environment staffed by clinicians and lived experience workers. Staff work together in a fusion model where clinical and lived experience perspectives combine to provide the best outcomes for guests. Lived experience workers make up 50% of the direct service delivery team and work in a transdisciplinary model with clinicians, nurses and doctors where all views of the guests' care are considered equally. The UMHCC service model and environment were codesigned from trauma informed principles and provides a unique offering in contrast to traditional mental health services. The UMHCC is delivered by Neami National in partnership with USA based Recovery Innovations who have extensive experience in delivering mental health crisis support. The UMHCC was established under the federal governments head to health initiative, with further funding provided by SA Health to deliver a 24/7, free service.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The value of lived experience in delivering modern mental health support
2. Demonstration of the "fusion model" in practice
3. Demonstration of a viable alternative pathway for MH crisis support other than an ED
Three Key Learnings:
1. The value of lived experience in delivering modern mental health support
2. Demonstration of the "fusion model" in practice
3. Demonstration of a viable alternative pathway for MH crisis support other than an ED
Biography
Danny McCulloch is an occupational therapist with 30 years clinical and leadership experience in the mental health sector. Danny has worked in forensic, acute, crisis, community and inpatient settings both in Australia and the UK, including regional areas of Australia and remote Aboriginal communities. Danny has a strong interest in elevating the value of lived experience workforces in modern mental health settings. Danny works for Neami National and over sees operations at the 24/7 Urgent Mental Health Care Centre in Adelaide.
