- Minister for Mental Health
The Andrews Labor Government is taking action to make sure Victorians living with severe mental illness and psychosocial disabilities don’t fall through the cracks of the NDIS.
Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley was today joined by Member for Werribee Tim Pallas in announcing part of $50 million in funding for local community-managed mental health services to provide treatment and care for people with a significant, enduring disability who can’t yet access the NDIS, or aren’t eligible.
Mercy Health (which includes Werribee Mercy Hospital) will receive $2.8 million over two years to deliver this initiative in partnership with Breakthru. Breakthru has extensive experience in delivering psychosocial supports to people with a severe mental illness across Victoria and New South Wales.
In total, the Labor Government is providing 16 health services with a share of the funding, allowing 3,500 clients with a psychosocial disability to access treatment and care. It will also secure more than 200 mental health support jobs.
Too many Victorians are being denied the support that they deserve because Scott Morrison and the Federal Liberals have mismanaged the NDIS.
The NDIS is one of the most significant reforms in Australia’s history and participants with a psychosocial disability are the third-highest category of participant. But thousands of Victorians have been delayed access to the scheme, with the Federal Government’s botched rollout creating unfair stress for individuals, carers and families.
The Labor Government’s initiative means people living with a psychosocial disability can get help to participate in community life, develop practical life skills for independent living and self-care and get the support they need to make the journey towards recovery.
Disability and community mental health agencies will also have access to an additional $20 million in grants to help them adapt their business model and respond to the challenges raised by the transition to the NDIS.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley
“We will not sit back while Victorians living with serious mental illness and psychosocial disability are made to wait for the care they need because of the botched NDIS rollout.”
As stated by Member for Werribee Tim Pallas
“We’re making sure local people can get the treatment they need to manage mental illness, so they can form meaningful relationships and feel stronger in everyday life.”
As stated by Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan
“This is just another example of how Victoria is leading the way in supporting people with disability as we fight for a fairer, high quality NDIS.”
