Foundation House will upgrade its facilities and expand mental health services for refugees in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with a further $200,000 provided by the Andrews Labor Government.
The Labor Government provides Foundation House $3.4 million a year to deliver a range of health services across Victoria to people from refugee backgrounds who have survived torture or war-related trauma.
Victoria is home to more than a third of Australia’s recent refugee arrivals. In the past five years more than 22,500 refugees have settled here and another 11,000 asylum seekers are living in the community on bridging visas.
In addition to our humanitarian intake, an additional 4000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees will settle here over the next few years as part of the 2015 Commonwealth agreement.
Recognising this, the Victorian Budget 2016/17 provided more than $10 million over four years to expand health and mental health programs, and casework to support children and young people arriving alone.
Foundation House has recently established a new office in Dallas with state and federal support.
The new funding will help Foundation House upgrade their office for a range of activities including counselling, therapies, training service providers, and consulting with agencies and community groups in northern Melbourne.
Quotes attributable to Mental Health Minister Martin Foley
“For the last two years, we’ve been putting people first by ensure all Victorians in need get the best support to get back on their feet.”
“Victoria’s community and mental health services offer safe and welcoming places for refugees to share their stories, to recover and restore hope.”
Quote attributable to Member for Broadmeadows Frank McGuire
“Funding for an office in Dallas is important because it means the community will have access to support where it’s needed most.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020