Improving crisis care for Queenslanders
Emergency departments are an essential part of Queensland’s crisis care system. However, they’re not always suitable for people experiencing mental health crisis.
Crisis support spaces are one of many new crisis care options we are rolling out as part of our Better Care Together plan.
What is a crisis support space?
A crisis support space is a welcoming space for people in mental health crisis to get support.
A mental health crisis can include situations where someone is experiencing:
- anxiety, distress, or panic attacks
- self-harming behaviours
- thoughts of suicide.
Crisis support spaces offer a calm and therapeutic alternative to the emergency department.
Benefits of crisis support spaces
Crisis support spaces offer a unique combination of peer and clinical support in a relaxed environment.
Crisis support spaces have been co-designed with people that have lived experience of mental health crisis.
Visitors can expect:
- a warm and welcoming environment away from the Emergency Department
- support from either a peer worker or a mental health clinician
- new tools and strategies to take home and help prevent future crisis.
Hear from visitors and staff
Watch our videos to hear from peer workers, clinicians and patients as they share how:
- crisis support spaces work
- peers use their own lived experience to support you through a crisis
- the spaces are changing people’s experience of crisis care.
How to access
Most spaces are open 7 days a week and offer extended hours.
Support is available to people from the age of 18, and as young as 16 at some locations.
Find your local space
Crisis support spaces are located and managed by local Hospital and Health Services. Our network continues to expand across the state.
Crisis support spaces are currently available at:
- Bundaberg Hospital
- Cairns Hospital
- Hervey Bay Hospital
- Ipswich Hospital
- Logan Hospital
- Mackay Hospital – Safe Harbour crisis support space
- Maryborough Hospital
- Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Redlands Hospital
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital
- Bundaberg Hospital – Lighthouse crisis support space
- Townsville Hospital.
Opening in 2025:
- Caboolture Hospital
- Gladstone Hospital
- Nambour Hospital
- Redcliffe Hospital
- Rockhampton Hospital.
Evaluating crisis support spaces
We commissioned the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) to independently evaluate the impact of our new crisis support spaces.
The evaluation found the spaces have helped to reduce:
- visits to emergency departments
- unnecessary stays
- need for inpatient care.
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research website has more information, including:
More support for mental health
Crisis support spaces are just one option available to people in crisis.
Find out about other options that might be right for you, including new Medicare Mental Health Centres, at this How to get help page.
Need assistance?
Call 1300 MHCALL (642 255) for more information about your local crisis support space and other support options in your area.
You can also call the following crisis and support helplines, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 13 11 14
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
- 13 92 76 to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter
If you or someone you know needs immediate help call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.