MENTAL health has become a major pillar of the Federal Government’s national health care plan, with the Coalition working on a series of fronts to battle the issue, Minister Greg Hunt says.
The minister told the crowd of Wednesday night’s public health forum the Federal Government was extending and expanding mental health programs for young Australians.
Mr Hunt said the government had expanded funds for youth mental health provider headspace and was considering expanding the program to include adult needs.
“We have made a lot of progress over the last few years in this space,” he said.
“Nobody here is immune from it.”
He said mental health among the senior population was another key focus of the government, as well as eating disorders, which he said affected almost half a million Australians.
Mr Hunt specified eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia, as being among the major beneficiaries of a new Medicare scheme accessible from November 1.
“We have just created a new Medicare program which instead of having 20 subsidised visits for a psychologist or dietitian, it is now up to 60,” he said.
“It is intense therapy to help people of all ages in what can be the longest lasting and in many ways, the highest mortality rate of any other mental health issue.”
Mr Hunt said primary health care was another focus of the Coalition Government, with an increase of bulk billing rates and around 2000 medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since 2013.
He said a further announcement relating to out of pocket costs would soon be released.
