“Today, mental health and suicide prevention is my government’s highest priority,” Prime Minister, Scott Morrison says as he addresses the media in Canberra.
Following the second wave lockdown in Victoria, he announced that the Federal Government are providing an additional $12 million towards mental health services in the country.
Headspace will receive $5 million to:
- increase outreach for young people in severe distress in the
- focusing on year 11, year 12 students and tertiary students
- young people who have lost their jobs
- train additional outreach workers who will connect with at-risk-youth under Headspace staff supervision
Kids Helpline will receive $2 million to:
- increase call answer rate
- account for additional demand
Lifeline will receive $2.5 million to:
- increase responses to call volumes in Victoria
BeyondBlue will receive $2.5 million to:
- extend capacity for webchat to increase availability to 24/7
- boost ability to refer people with complex needs to five more sessions
Mr Morrison describes this period as an extremely difficult time, “particularly for families with children with disabilities.”
Those with NDIS plans can access disability support workers in their homes, if they normally relied on day programs or special schools that have closed as a result of restrictions.
Victorians will also have access to 10 more Medicare subsidised psychology sessions, if they have exhausted their first 10.
“Your GP is the first place to start, make an appointment via telephone or video,” Mr Morrison says.
“More needs to be done and more will be done.”
A report tomorrow from Christine Morgan, the CEO of the National Mental Health Commission and National Suicide Prevention Adviser to Mr Morrison, and the Deputy CMO, will identify more spaces that will need support.
Mental health support services:
https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/, available in 64 languages other than english.
https://headspace.org.au, with a digital work and study space.
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/, for frontline health workers.
BeyondBlue: 1800 512 348
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
If you are concerned about suicide, relating someone around you, or experiencing bereavement as a result, the Suicide Call Back Service is a 24 hour, nationwide service that provides free telephone, video and online counselling. Call them anywhere and anytime on 1300 659 467.
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