The Greens unveiled their mental health policy recently, which would prevent the need for hospital care for thousands of local residents.
With over 20% of Australians suffering some form of mental illness in any given year and 500 000 people taking time off work as a result, the issue looms as a crucial part of revolutionising the country’s beleaguered health care system.
Among the proposals include 24-hour staffed respite houses, supplements to existing Medicare health schedule fees and community-oriented early intervention programs.
Spending on mental health currently makes up around 6% of Australia’s total health budget, falling far short of pioneering countries like the UK, who spend more than twice that figure.
Greens candidate for Aston, Salore Craig, says the time is now to turn this trend around. “This is our opportunity, not only to catch up to the rest of the world, but to become world leaders in mental health,” she said yesterday.
“This means helping people coming out of hospital to stay out, while taking preventative steps to see people don’t need hospitalisation in the first place,” explained the local resident of 30 years.
The plans, which place particular emphasis on community and family support, would have direct benefits for services such as the Eastern Health facility in Wantirna.
“By investing now to reduce band-aid solutions, not only will we save money, we may save lives too,” Mrs Craig concluded.