2011-12 Budget Provides Greater Access to Psychological Support
The Australian Government’s $2.2 billion mental health package will provide more people with access to face-to-face psychological support from allied mental health professionals.
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16 May 2011
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler today said the Government’s $2.2 billion mental health package would provide more people with access to face-to-face psychological support from allied mental health professionals.
The 2011-12 Budget delivers on the Government’s commitment to make mental health a priority in this term of Government.
The $2.2 billion package includes significant investment of $220.3 million to strengthen primary care and better target mental health services to those most in need.
Mr Butler today met with staff at SouthEast Primary HealthCare Network in Scoresby to see how important these services are to people with a mental illness.
A total of $205.9 million has been provided in this year’s budget for a major expansion of the Access to Allied Psychological Services(ATAPS) program which will see more people receive the care and support they need.
“The doubling of funding in this year’s Budget will allow subsidised treatment for about 185,000 extra patients, over five years,” Mr Butler said.
ATAPS enables GPs to refer patients with depression, anxiety and other high prevalence mental disorders to obtain psychological treatment.
“This will mean that more people who are diagnosed with mental illness by their GP will be able to obtain the focussed psychological services that they need – at low to no cost.
“The Government is doubling ATAPS in response to growing demand for services available under the program. The ATAPS program has also proved to be successful in helping hard to reach and disadvantaged groups.
“Several of ATAPS providers in Victoria have given care and support to people at risk of mental illness, including people affected by the Victorian bushfires.
For more information, contact Mr Butler’s office 02 6277 7280
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