Connecting people with the right mental health support
At a glance
23,395 occasions of service delivered through Medicare Mental Health Centres in Wagga Wagga and Young
14,354 occasions of service delivered through MyStep Eastern and Western
A ‘no wrong door’ approach is helping people access clinical, psychosocial, peer and other support matched to their individual needs
During 2025-26, Medicare Mental Health supports continued to strengthen across the Murrumbidgee, providing more accessible pathways into care and helping people navigate an often-complex service system.
Across the year, Medicare Mental Health Centres in Wagga Wagga and Young delivered 23,395 occasions of service, while MyStep Eastern and Western delivered a further 14,354.
People can enter care through multiple points, including the Centres and the national Medicare Mental Health Phone Service. Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN) Central Access and Navigation Team provides local knowledge to help people navigate barriers such as transport and waitlists and connection with other services.
A common referral approach using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) considers an individual's needs across multiple factors and helps create a shared understanding between GPs, service providers and consumers, supporting referral to the most appropriate level of care within a stepped-care mental health system.
PULLOUT STORY
For AC, the value of this connected approach was deeply personal. He came to the Wagga Wagga Medicare Mental Health Centre experiencing significant grief, relationship difficulties, substance use and suicidal thoughts.
“When I walked into the service, I was very nervous. I almost walked out. I felt sick in the stomach and didn’t want to ask for help because every time I asked for help it was thrown in my face which made it even worse, and I’d just shut down,” AC said.
AC received support from a Mental Health Clinician and Senior Peer Worker, and later connected with an Alcohol and Other Drugs Clinician. Together, they helped him work through grief, substance use and relationship challenges, develop strategies including grounding and mindfulness, and access support for ADHD.
Peer support was particularly important for AC.
“Lauren sharing her lived experience motivated me and helped me not feel alone. It gave me hope knowing what she had been through – I could get through my experience myself, too.”
By the end of his support, AC described a profound change.
“I am more resilient, and I know how to communicate more. I am happier and most of my days are better. I never thought I’d see myself like this. I really love and enjoy life, where before I was not liking it.”