ACT Mental Health Peaks welcome investment into mental health
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Media release
The ACT peaks for mental health, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, welcome the Australian Labor Party’s $1b election commitment noting this as a significant step towards recognising the impact of mental health, but call for more services in the northern parts of the ACT and a focus on supports that help people maintain wellbeing.
The combined Mental Health Peaks welcomes a focus on mental health spending as part of the Federal election campaign noting that the demand for support has increased significantly over the past decade yet the investment in supports across the community has not kept up with demand, particularly in the community sector.
“We welcome a federal investment in the ACT that will enhance the mental health workforce and expand access to headspace and Medicare Mental Health Centres in Civic and Tuggeranong” said Lisa Kelly, CEO of Mental Health Community Coalition. “We are also looking to the Labor Party to announce the ACT as a location for the new Youth Specialist Care Centres as we know that access to specialist care for young people with complex presentations is near impossible in the ACT”.
With mental health impacting people across the lifespan, it is positive to see an investment in services for both young people and adults. “Expanding access to these cornerstone community-based services will increase timely access for people experiencing mental health concerns and their families and ensure that support can be gained before a crisis point” said Deigh Drexler, CEO of ACT Mental Health Consumer Network. “We expect, however that these services provide more than a medical response and work to recovery models that build belonging and engagement in community”.
Whilst the expansion of services is welcome, the Peaks note that this still leaves the North of Canberra without in place access to headspace or a Medicare Mental Health Centre. The investment in the expansion of workforce is welcome however the investment must be swift, targeted and effective to ensure all people are able to access support in a timely manner without blocks relating to location and cost.
The level of investment in mental health from both parties is a sign of recognition of the increasing levels of mental health in our community and the need to build a stronger service system. “More focus on reducing the factors that impact on mental health such as loneliness, housing, violence, employment is still needed to create long-term change” Lisa Kelly said.
ENDS
Media contact:
Lisa Kelly, CEO Mental Health Community Coalition ACT | 0411 203 530 | lisa.kelly@mhccact.org.au