Mental health crisis support

Personalised support from peer workers and clinicians, in a safe and welcoming environment

Our service

The Wadda Mooli crisis support space is a safe place you can go instead of the emergency department when you’re experiencing mental health distress.

We can support people aged 18 and over who don’t need urgent medical care. It’s free, and your choice.

Our service might be right for you if you are:

• feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
• experiencing trauma, grief or a personal crisis
• thinking about suicide or self-harm.

We can also help if you have a mental health treatment plan and need crisis support during your recovery.

What to expect

We offer short-term support from peer workers, in partnership with mental health clinicians.

Peer workers are people who have been there. They have lived and living experience of mental health challenges and recovery, or as carers – and they’re trained to provide support, tools and strategies in a way that works for you.

Our team will:

• listen without judgment and respect your story
• share coping strategies and tips to manage future distress
• connect you with other supports in the community if needed.

We also support families and carers. You can talk to us together or separately, depending on what you need.

Our space

We offer a safe and non-clinical environment, away from the busy and over-stimulating emergency department.

You can chat in our lounge area, relax in our chill-out space or simply take time to settle your distress.

‘Wadda Mooli’ means ‘Welcome’ in the language of Townsville’s First Nations people, the Bindal people. We aim to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere so you feel safe to talk.

We also value who you are – no matter your culture, background, ability, gender identity or sexuality, this space is for you.

Access

Our service is free, voluntary and open 7 days. You don’t need an appointment or referral, but we recommend:

• Before your first visit – talk to our emergency department team first
• After your first visit – you can come directly to us. Call us ahead on (07) 4433 3912 so we can plan for your visit and guide you to our space if needed.

We’re in the Paluma Room, on Level 1 of Townsville Hospital, above the emergency department.

We’re open:

• Monday to Friday, 12.45pm – 9.30pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 12pm – 9.30pm.

Other options

We may not always be the right service for you, or you may need support outside our opening hours. There are other ways to get help.

You can also phone Medicare Mental Health (1800 595 212) or 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) for advice.

If it’s an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or 112 from mobiles, or visit our emergency department.

Location
Townsville Hospital – Paluma Room, Level 1, above the emergency department
100 Angus Smith Dr
Douglas QLD 4810

Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 12.45pm – 9.30pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12pm – 9.30pm

Contact us
07 4433 3912 – to contact our service during opening hours
1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55) – for 24-hour information and assistance