2020-10-07
More supported accommodation, additional rehabilitation beds, improved support for carers, and an expanded mental health crisis service are key features of the ACT Greens’ $47.35m mental health package, announced today.
We know this support can make all the difference. That’s why the ACT Greens will provide an additional funding to increase services and supports across the spectrum of clinical and community mental health needs by:
- Building 5 additional supported accommodation houses over the next 4 years
- Refurbishing 10 beds at Brian Hennessy Rehabilitation Centre
- Expanding the Police, Ambulance, Clinician Emergency Response (PACER) to two teams, 7 days per week
- Providing 2 years funding and an evaluation for Safe Haven Cafes
- Providing more support and services for eating disorders
- Establishing a First Nations Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Postvention Program
- Improving respite for mental health carers
- Funding $500,000 for Mental Health Innovation Grants
- Building mental health workforce and capability with Nurse Practitioners, and
- Better services to address the co-occurrence of alcohol and drug use and mental health.
This commitment builds upon the ACT Greens’ child and youth mental health commitment ($11.6 million) announced last week.
Comments attributable to ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury:
“Around one third of Canberrans will need support with their mental health at some stage in their lives. An investment in mental health support is an investment in our community, and can make all the difference.
“The Greens have made mental health a priority over the past four years, creating a dedicated portfolio and dedicated Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing, which worked to address some of the gaps and overlaps in the system.
“With the COVID pandemic hitting hard, the Greens know that mental health and wellbeing, support and connectedness is more important now than ever.
“The Greens have worked to deliver more supported accommodation over the past term, to enable more people to get the beds and support they need at crucial times in their lives. This package will continue to deliver even more beds, for more Canberrans in need.
“I am pleased that we are establishing Safe Haven Cafes in Canberra, as a response to COVID, and our plan delivers longer funding for this - to help people get peer-led support and avoid ending up in ED unnecessarily.
“The Greens are committed to ensuring all Canberrans can access the right mental health support in place, at the right place, at the right time.”
You can find the full package at: greens.org.au/act/mental-health
Media alert: Mr Rattenbury will be made available for interview on request.
Statement ends
Media contact
Lisa Wills M 0481 035 764 E lisa.wills@act.gov.au