Mental Health Crisis Stabilisation Unit

The Crisis Stabilisation Unit (CSU), also known as ‘Yalburro' angabah’), supports people experiencing a mental health crisis through access to mental health specialist clinicians, including lived experience (peer) workers. It is an alternative to Gold Coast Health’s Emergency Departments and aims to reduce the need for hospitalisation for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

The CSU is a 12-chair facility (with a maximum length of stay of 23 hours) in a therapeutic environment, which provides individuals presenting with a mental health crisis – including those complicated by co-occurring alcohol and drug issues – a safe and supportive space for acute mental health assessment, treatment and management. This may include a range of short-term options tailored to meet individual needs with a focus on supporting safe discharge. The CSU operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The CSU caters for individuals in the Gold Coast region who are 18 years of age or older, experiencing a mental health crisis and would alternatively be required to present to an emergency department.

Access to the CSU is available through 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255), with a Crisis Care Coordinator (CCC) facilitating and coordinating all presentations. Referrals for people who meet CSU criteria can also be made by Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and other Gold Coast Health services including the Emergency Department.