The Morrison Government has invested more than $1.3 million to help support people living with severe mental illness in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Funding will be allocated over four years to Capital Health Network, to plan and commission new psychosocial support services.
Psychosocial services will assist people with mental illness who are not currently receiving support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This includes people who have not yet been tested for NDIS eligibility.
In the ACT, Capital Health Network has co-commissioned services with ACT Health, ensuring a joined-up approach to service delivery on the ground.
Woden Community Services and Flourish Australia have been contracted to provide the services, including individual and group psychosocial support.
Psychosocial support can include mental health counselling, education, spiritual support, group support, and many other such services.
These services are usually provided by mental health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, counsellors, specialised nurses, clergy, and pastoral counsellors amongst others.
The services are a critical component of our mental health care system. They will make a dramatic difference to many people who are currently struggling to get through each day.
This announcement is part of our Government’s national commitment of $80 million over four years to July 2021, with matched funding from states and territories.
The measure is being rolled out through Primary Health Networks across the country, in conjunction with state and territory services.
The National Psychosocial Support measure is being jointly funded by the Australian Government and the ACT Government to ensure that people do not miss out on critical assistance.
In 2019-20, the total expenditure for mental health is estimated to be $5.3 billion.
In the 2019-20 Budget the Morrison Government has invested an additional $736.6 million to boost mental health services, in particular $503.1 million for youth mental health and suicide prevention; and $275.5 million for community mental health.
The Morrison Government has made a strong commitment to the mental health of all Australians, and is ensuring people from all walks of life have affordable access to the services and support they need now, and in the future.
