The ACT Greens want to establish a centre where people can go when they are in mental distress that is not hospital.
The centre would be used by the Police, Ambulance, Clinician Emergency Response program, known as PACER, which is a team that travels in an unmarked police care to respond to mental health incidents.
ACT Greens health spokeswoman and Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson said PACER workers said a centre would be helpful for them to take people in crisis.
"What we want is short stay place that's in between home and hospital so that if PACER goes out and sees someone and they clinically don't need an inpatient stay in hospital but they do need a break from home while they continue to de-escalate, rest and get back on track for where they want to be," she said.
"Sometimes you need to get yourself in a different physical environment for a little bit with some people who can support you."
The party has made the centre part of their election commitment.
PACER has been permanently funded to have one team for several years. A second team has been receiving year-to-year funding but the government has recently provided funding for the second team for four years.
Police have previously urged the government to expand the service.
Ms Davidson said there were cases of people being seen by the service multiple times and feedback had suggested greater wraparound support was needed for people who are seen by the service.
She said the centre would be co-designed with the community. She did not put a timeline on when the centre would be established saying it was important to get it right.
The party would also explore whether such a centre could be a drop-in service but Ms Davidson said this would all depend on the consultation.
"It does take a little bit of time to work that through but it means you get a solution that works," she said.
Ms Davidson said similar models existed in Tasmania and South Australia and this could be used to establish a centre in Canberra.
"There will be people on site who have the skills to support people who are in there, who are de-escalating from mental distress but it's not like going into a full hospital environment. It's more like going to stay at a friend's house that's what it is going to feel like," she said.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
