2024-07-03
The ACT Greens will deliver an additional four mental health Safe Haven hubs across Canberra in the next term of the Legislative Assembly, so every person can access free care in their neighbourhood.
“Everyone should have access to affordable mental health care, when they need it - not just when they are in crisis,” said ACT Greens mental health spokesperson Emma Davidson MLA, who is recontesting her seat in Murrumbidgee.
“We are living in a cost of living and climate crisis. People are experiencing higher levels of distress than ever before, placing more pressure on our mental health system. But mental healthcare is expensive and wait times can be lengthy.
“The sad reality is that too many people only access free care once they are in a crisis.
“The ACT Greens want to ensure every Canberran has access to free mental health care and support when they need it most, and will deliver more, at no cost, support across the full spectrum of need.
“We will focus on early intervention and prevention by expanding the mental health walk-in centre network (known as Safe Havens) so there’s one in each town centre, providing care closer to your home and before you reach crisis point.
“In May, the ACT Greens also announced support for GPs to provide free, long appointments for Canberrans with chronic mental health conditions. Having a doctor who understands your condition means better care and someone you trust throughout your journey.”
“We have a passionate workforce, transformative services and a community that genuinely cares about each other’s mental wellbeing.
“We've made great progress on mental health services, but we could go so much further with more Greens in Government. All this is possible, if you vote for it.”
The Greens plan to provide more free mental health services including:
- Deliver four new Safe Havens centres across Canberra in Tuggeranong, Molonglo, Dickson and Gungahlin;
- Expand the Police, Ambulance, Clinician Early Response (PACER) by building a safe place for people who need some temporary support outside of home, but don’t need to go to hospital;
- Commence a Distress Brief Intervention trial, which will deliver social services support to address the issues that cause mental distress and can exacerbate someone’s ill health;
- Establish more eating disorder services in the ACT to address care gaps, including a day program for people need support beyond the early intervention program, but not quite ready for the residential centre;
- Our plan also includes a dedicated eating disorder inpatient unit for people requiring more acute care than the residential centre offers, and integrates medical stabilisation with psychological therapy;
- Permanently fund youth mental health services WOKE and Stepping Stones;
- Establish a youth-specific, drop-in safe space for those who are near or at crisis point with their mental health; and
- Create two new centres for perinatal mental health care including a residential centre for parents who need support outside of their home, but not in hospital. It will also include space for a perinatal drop-in service for any parent feeling distressed, isolated or lonely to go to during the day for peer mental health support. And a perinatal mental health inpatient unit at the North Canberra hospital, where parent and baby can stay together safely for more acute treatment.
ACT Greens MLA for Brindabella, Laura Nuttall said today’s announcement could be life changing for the many young people in Canberra who are struggling to find mental health support.
“I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in my late teens and I really struggled to get the support I needed,” said Miss Nuttall.
“I had to wait months to see someone and during that time, my mental health declined even further. It was a really awful time for me and pretty tough for my family.
“Had there been a mental health walk-in centre nearby, it might have pulled me out of the hole that I was in while I waited for more dedicated support.
“I know that so many young people are facing similar challenges. And, in a cost of living crisis where you’re struggling to pay the rent and feed yourself, you’re not going to be in a position to pay the hundreds of dollars it costs to see a psychologist.
“The Greens want to ensure all Canberrans can live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives and that means ensuring they have the support they need, when they need it,” said Miss Nuttall.
Leader of the ACT Greens, Shane Rattenbury, was the ACT’s first stand-alone Minister for Mental Health.
“The ACT Greens understand the challenges facing so many Canberrans, and have long advocated for better mental health support in our city. We have been working hard to deliver life changing services for Canberrans,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Through the introduction of PACER, Safe Haven and the expansion of Step-Up-Step Down centres, we are creating a network of support for Canberrans before they reach crisis and need to go to hospital.
“This means more people getting support earlier in their mental health journey and for those who really need it, the reassurance that they can get hospital care without having to wait.
“Our commitment today builds upon this work and looks to grow our mental health system to support even more Canberrans. It will deliver life saving services for people with mental illness and expand our mental health system to be more robust and accessible.”
Find out more here.