No. 14											
Mental Health funded for growth
Mental health services in the ACT will receive $19 million over the next four years to help meet the demand for services, and support the mental health workforce, ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher, said today.

“As part of our 2008 election commitments, we promised to provide an additional $14.5 million over the next four years across community and hospital based mental health services.
 
“$8.4 million has been allocated in the 2009–10 ACT’s Budget to meet the growth in demand for mental health services in our community,” she said.

These mental health initiatives also fulfil a number of commitments made through the Labor-Greens Parliamentary Agreement.

“Funding of $2 million in 2009–10 will, like the remainder of the funds, be split between Mental Health ACT and community-sector psychosocial support services on a 50/50 basis.

“The funding will increase the Government’s focus on promotion, prevention and early intervention while also providing high quality community based clinical and psychosocial support services.”

Ms Gallagher said the provision of $9.7 million over four years would enable the establishment of a Mental Health Assessment Unit (MHAU) to provide quicker transfer to a specialised service for mental health patients who present at an emergency department.

The Budget has allocated $600,000 over the next two financial years for mental health training for police, emergency services workers and teachers.

It has also provided $275,000 over the next two financial years to expand the ACT Forensic Mental Health Court Liaison Team.

“The expansion of this initiative will ensure services better meet the demands of the population group and the judicial system, including children and young people, and will provide greater support and liaison services to families,” Ms Gallagher said.

The funding for training and the court liaison team will be reviewed during the 2010–11 financial year and a decision on ongoing funding will be made then.

5 May 2009
Media Contact: 	Kathryn Roberts  	6205 0242(w)   0402 399 907(m)