2015-11-26
More funding needed to see full benefit of mental health response
The Greens have welcomed the long-overdue response to Australia’s mental health review, but have cautioned that the devil will be in the detail.
“Mental health touches us all in some way, so it goes to the heart of our nation’s wellbeing,” said the Australian Greens mental health spokesperson Senator Janet Rice.
“There are big question marks over funding, planning accountability and workforce development of the new system.
“To make sure we see the full benefits, the government must outline how the success of the response will be measured and how they will make up the shortfall in funding.
“It is positive to see a focus on early intervention, but prevention must be a central component of our strategies to keep people mentally healthy.
“Whether the largely untested Primary Health Networks can handle the demand is unknown, and it is unclear how they will address the diversity and complexity of individual mental health needs.
“I will continue to listen to people who are accessing services, their carers, mental health experts and local communities about how to best address these challenges as these reforms are rolled out,” concluded Senator Rice.
Media contact: Sam Drummond 0400 352 935