Australians for Mental Health welcomes mental health spend in mid-year budget update

Australians for Mental Health welcomes mental health spend in mid-year budget update

Australians for Mental Health has welcomed the federal government’s decision to fund its election commitment of more than $1 billion for mental health care. 

The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook released today confirms the mental health funding boosts, which will expand services and provide a boost to the workforce. 

The funding includes $500 million spent on a new network for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres, $267.3 million for 32 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres, $225.3 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded Headspace services and $83.9 million for additional training places for mental health professionals and peer workers. 

“This is a significant injection which will help ease pressure on strained services across the country as we deal with a mental health crisis,” Australians for Mental Health Executive Director Chris Gambian said. 

“Tackling this issue will require big commitments such as this. But we also know we can’t treat our way out of this crisis. Mental health is complex and influenced by so many factors, ranging from housing security, employment and community connections. 

“By providing both adequate funding for services and expanding the workforce, and embedding wellbeing into all government decision making processes could significantly improve the lives of Australians. It’s a big and complex issue which requires additional solutions to those inside the healthcare sector,” Chris Gambian said. 

Australians for Mental Health has been consistently calling on the government to take bold action, including:

• Passing a Wellbeing Act to embed mental health and wellbeing issues in all policymaking;

• Appointing a Minister for Mental Health & Wellbeing located in the Prime Minister’s department to drive a whole-of-government response to the mental health crisis;

• Establishing an independent Mental Health & Wellbeing Commissioner to hold government to account for its performance on mental health. 

Media contact: Kathleen - 0421 522 080