MHCC ACT supports Motion from Michael Pettersson MLA on ACT Mental Health
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Media release
The Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT (MHCC ACT) supports the motion from Michael Pettersson MLA that calls the ACT Government to develop an ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy in the next six months.
Bec Cody, MHCC ACT CEO, states “There is a need for an ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy that emphasises the specialist psychosocial support workforce, including peer workers, employed by NFP community mental health sector.”
“Our members have been telling us that their ability to recruit, train and retain staff with the much-needed skills and experience in complex mental health and psychosocial needs has become increasingly challenging.”
“This is also reflected in the findings in the Productivity Commission Mental Health Inquiry report, noting there is an increasing reliance on the community mental health sector to support the growing needs of the Canberra community. The current funding model for the community sector limits the capacity of these organisations to train and develop staff which has resulted in the casualisation of a workforce that actually needs to increase in size and diversify its skills to meet demand.”
Bec Cody states “MHCC ACT has included this as an identified priority in their recent budget submission to the ACT Government, and welcomes the motion brought forward by Michael Pettersson MLA.”
“The ACT Government, in recent announcements, has provided additional financial support to the community sector, and for that we are grateful. Mr Pettersson’s motion show’s a strong commitment from the Government by supporting the mental health workforce through developing an ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy as a priority.”
“We’re looking forward to being part of the development of the Strategy which we believe should cover two components – a road map on building a robust, skilled and well-resourced mental health workforce, with a strong focus on the NFP community mental health workforce; and a plan to support the mental health and wellbeing of all ACT workers.”
See the MHCC ACT – ACT Budget Submission.
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.