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Federal Government Announces Funding Package for Mental Health

HSU said that the $1.8 billion committed to mental health by the Federal Government this week was a good start, but further spending on education and acute care is needed to address the crisis in mental health.

The package includes:

• Funding for GP's and psychiatrists to employ more mental health nurses;

• Funding for 400 extra mental health nursing places and 200 clinical psychology places per year in universities;

• 650 new respite places;

• The subsidisation of the services of psychologists under Medicare, after referral by GP's and psychiatrists;

• Increased funding for counselling of people suffering as a result of substance misuse or mental illness;

• Programs for more mentally ill young people which assist them to complete education and access employment;

• More community awareness programs about the links between drug abuse and mental illness.

This announcement comes in the wake of the release of a multi-party Senate Committee Report which said that additional mental health funding of up to $3 billion per year was necessary.

The Health Services Union continues to call for a new level of co-operation between federal, state and territory governments so that the mental health system will get the increased funding, and reforms, so badly needed following years of neglect.

The review of Mental Health Services set up by the Council of Australian Governments earlier this year is due to report back in June, and with its recognition that mental health is a major problem for the Australian community, will again bring mental health issues to the fore. HSU has already given evidence to the review about the extent of the staffing shortages and the under-funding of services in the sector.

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