Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs

Improving access to high quality mental health services and improving the coordination of care for people experiencing mental health challenges are important goals for NQPHN.

NQPHN will be engaging with the sector to progress a range of exciting initiatives. Some initiatives have a focus on redesigning the current system, so it is easier for people to navigate and access the types of services they need. Other initiatives will focus on commissioning new services.

  • Redesigning mental health stepped care services
  • Codesign Cairns Head to Health
  • Codesign universal aftercare services Mackay and Townsville
  • Community-based suicide prevention activities
  • Alcohol and other drugs review
  • Procure and establish stepped care services
  • Procure and establish Cairns Head to Health
  • Procure and establish universal aftercare Mackay and Townsville
  • Distress Brief Support trial – Tablelands
  • Psychological Support for RACH residents

Better access initiative

Important changes for General Practices to the Better Access Initiative (including Mental Health Treatment Plans) commenced on 1 November 2025.

To learn more about the changes visit our Better Access Initiative page. 

Protecting your privacy

Understand what happens to the personal information you share as a client of a mental health service provider commissioned by Northern Queensland PHN (NQPHN).