ACT Budget: Mental health supports
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Media release
The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) welcomes the ACT Budget and the additional funding for the community mental health sector.
Bec Cody, MHCC ACT CEO, said “The funding announcements from the ACT Government in August and September around additional funding for mental health supports have been positively received by the community mental health sector.”
“These announcements showed a commitment by the ACT Government to provide immediate support for vulnerable Canberrans impacted by the pandemic.”
“There are a number of services provided by our members which have received funding to support those impacted by the pandemic lockdowns, including youth, LGBTIQA+ communities, and new parents. Further announcements as part of the 2021-22 ACT Budget will provide early intervention support for youth, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and our First Nations people in the ACT.”
“Other funding areas in the ACT Budget include supports to areas of known mental health determinants such as housing and homelessness and bringing further support for our youth in schools.”
“The community mental health sector has been working hard to continue to deliver services under high demand throughout the pandemic. There is the understanding that this demand will continue to expand even as we exit lockdown as the longer-term mental health impacts of the pandemic are felt.”
Bec Cody states, “MHCC ACT welcome ongoing discussion on how we can work together with the ACT Government to ensure there will be continuing funding to support the community mental health sector well into the future. The priority is to make sure we are able to meet the increased mental health needs of the Canberra community and ensure they are supported for as long as they need.”
Media Contact: Bec Cody, Chief Executive Officer
(02) 5104 7716, Bec.Cody@mhccact.org.au
Communications Officer: Alison Hall, (02) 5104 7711
MHCC ACT is the peak body for community-managed mental health services in the ACT. Find out more about MHCC ACT at www.mhccact.org.au.