Premier

$117.8 Million Boost For Mental Health

05 May 2015

The Andrews Labor Government is increasing funding to treat and support people with a mental illness – helping families with innovative care that focuses on their recovery.

The 2015-16 Victorian Budget provides an extra $117.8 million for mental health, including $88.2 million to provide 80 adults and up to 500 older people with the intensive, specialist support they need and provides funding to assist in managing critical demand pressures in the mental health system.

The 80 new complex care packages will be funded to support people who are experiencing a severe mental illness and have other complex needs associated with alcohol and drug misuse, a forensic history, homelessness, co-existing intellectual disability and acquired brain injury.

As a result of this new funding, all mental health catchments across the state will now have much-needed capacity to respond to people who need intensive support to live in the community, which will help to address critical mental health demand pressures and gaps across Victoria.

In addition, $4.4 million will ensure that 60 high risk young people experiencing an eating disorder and their families will receive intensive treatment and support. The Budget also includes $5.9 million to fund programs that promote the rights, mental health and wellbeing of LGBTI Victorians.

The Labor Government will also reinstate $5 million to provide access to care for young people and adults with a mental illness and psychiatric disability who are experiencing significant disadvantage related to homelessness. This funding was cut by the previous Liberal Government and will provide much needed services delivered by St Mary’s House of Welcome, Jesuit Social Services and Prahran Mission for our most vulnerable Victorians.

The Budget also includes $8.3 million to support the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme at the Barwon trial site.

The Budget provides $1 million for planning and development to rebuild Orygen Youth Health at the Poplar Road site. Once built, the new facility will provide early intervention mental health services for up to 5000 young people each year and $5 million to renew mental health, alcohol and other drugs facilities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley

The mental health system is under pressure because of growing demand and four years of savage Liberal cuts.”

“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to providing support and services to people with a mental illness and their families – that’s why our first Budget includes an increase of $117.8 million for mental health.”

“We’re funding projects and services that will help fill the gaps and meet the demand in mental health catchments across the state.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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