Mental health is an issue that affects all Australians regardless of location, age, ethnic background or socio-economic status.
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While always an issue of national importance, regardless of how different governments have treated it down the years, the COVID-19 pandemic brought it sharply into focus.
So it's perhaps fitting that new government funding into mental health services has a clear focus on online delivery.
In presenting the Federal Budget on Tuesday night, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled a significant amount of funding across five key areas with an additional $2.3 billion to be spent on top of existing programs.
Those areas are as follows:
- $250 million for early intervention programs including online counseling.
- $298 million towards suicide prevention with funding also to go towards after hospital care for persons following a suicide attempt.
- $1.4 billion in treatment centres for adults, youth and children.
- $107 million specifically directed towards vulnerable Australians with an emphasis on Indigenous people.
- $202 million towards expanding the current mental health workforce.
What does this mean for Highlanders?
While the idea is for all Australians to benefit from the increased spending, regional areas will welcome the news after years of rising costs relating to mental health.
The Southern Highlands is a prime example with data obtained last year revealing an eight per cent increase in hospital admissions for mental health treatment in the Highland and Shoalhaven region.
Men alone saw demand for mental health support rise by 124 per cent although women still made up the majority of hospital admissions, more than double that of males.
Health insurer Medibank paid over $540,000 in benefits related to mental health treatment in the Highlands and Shoalhaven alone .
Locations for treatment centres are yet to be announced but eight new centres, 24 new satellite centres and continued funding for existing centres are locked in.
$278.6 million of that treatment allocation will also go specifically towards Headspace (aimed at 12-25 year olds) with 10 new centres to be built. 15 new Head to Health (0-12 year olds) centres will also be established.
Critically for regional areas such as the Southern Highlands, online delivery is part of all five areas. $111.2 million will go towards the creation of a new digital mental health service system while Lifeline alone have been allocated $4 million to continue funding the 13 11 14 national suicide prevention and crisis support line.
Time will tell how effective this new funding is and how much more will be needed but for regional Australians it's certainly a start.
If you or someone you know needs support:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Beyond blue on 1300 224 636
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- QLife on 1800 184 527
- Headspace 1800 650 896
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