THE Federal Government will invest an additional $110m in mental health services to extend and expand mental health programs for young Australians.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin welcomed the announcement this week and said the funding was vital given around four million Australians experience a mental health condition every year and those living in regional areas were at higher risk.
“This additional investment in child and youth mental health is great news for our young people in Barker,”Mr Pasin said.
“Ensuring our next generation have the skills to cope with what life throws at us from time to time is vital, particularly in rural and regional areas.”
As part of the funding announced, beyondblue will receive up to $46m for its integrated school-based Mental Health in Education initiative to continue providing information, advice and support to teachers and early childhood workers so they can teach children and young people skills for good social and emotional development.
The headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation will receive additional funding of $30m for the headspace national program to provide further support to Primary Health Networks in commissioning headspace services.
Emerging Minds will receive $16m for the National Workforce Support in Child Mental Health initiative to deliver support to professionals and services working with children to identify, assist and refer children at risk of mental health difficulties and promote resilience building.
“These positive initiatives will help schools and communities to support the well-being and mental health of our kids and respond rapidly to personal and community challenges,” Mr Pasin said.
“Funding of $2.5m will also provide for an evaluation of the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program, which we are extending until June 2021.”
Orygen will receive additional funding of $13.5m for the operation of the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health to continue to provide national leadership for youth mental health in research, policy advice and workforce training.
Included in the extra funding is support for digital mental health services.
“The digital space is playing an increasing role in the delivery of mental health care and this is vitally important for young people who may find it easier or feel more comfortable to seek help digitally,” Mr Pasin said.
An extra $1.8m will be invested over two years in four existing Commonwealth-funded digital mental health services – Kids Helpline, ReachOut, Suicide Callback Service and QLife.
“The youth of today are more connected via digital platforms than ever before,” Mr Pasin said.
“Providing digital mental health services is important to help reach all youth, but particularly those in rural and regional areas who find it difficult to access face to face services.
“Supporting our next generation and ensuring they are happy and healthy is not only benefiting them individually, but helping to build stronger communities now and into the future.”
