The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform, Minister for Housing and Homelessness
Images of The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform, Minister for Housing and Homelessness

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing

Minister for Social Inclusion

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform

Minister for Housing and Homelessness

Better Mental Health Services from 1 July

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The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to transform the mental health system so it better meets the needs of people with a mental illness, their carers and families with a number of key initiatives being delivered from 1 July.

PDF printable version of Better Mental Health Services from 1 July (PDF 21 KB)

1 July 2011

The Gillard Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to transform the mental health system so it better meets the needs of people with a mental illness, their carers and families with a number of key initiatives being delivered from today.

“We are delivering the largest mental health package ever with $2.2 billion in new measures” the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said.

“From today, new and expanded services funded through this year’s Budget will be rolled out across the nation."

From today:

  • Australians living with a mental illness will be able to have Medicare funded consultations with psychiatrists via a video conference. They will be able to ‘see’ their psychiatrist close to home without the time and expense of travelling long distances.
  • Funding will flow to double the number of psychological services provided under the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program with an extra 185,000 people able to access the care and treatment that they need at low to no cost over the next five years.
  • Funding will flow to a range of suicide prevention measures as part of the Government’s Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package including new services for up to 37,000 people at risk of suicide or self harm through ATAPS and free calls from mobiles to Lifeline.
  • Day to Day Living providers will receive funding to provide 18,000 people with severe mental illness with access to structured and social based day activity programs to help them overcome social isolation and increase their ability to participate in the community.
  • Negotiations have begun with state and territory Governments to implement the new $200 million National Partnership on Mental Health Reform aimed at filling service gaps within existing state mental health systems.
  • The current 30 youth friendly headspace services have all received a significant increase in their base level of funding to provide additional services to boost their capacity to provide care and support to young Australians.
In addition to new services commencing from 1 July, the Government has taken the first steps towards driving accountability and transparency in the mental health system so it better responds to the needs of consumers, their families and carers.
    • The establishment of the new National Mental Health Commission has begun with Robyn Kruk having been appointed as Chief Executive Officer.
    • Up to $4 million has been allocated to establish a new National Mental Health Consumer Organisation with the Consumers Health Forum appointed to host the new organisation while it gets established.
An expert advisory group is also currently working on the establishment of the Government’s e-mental health initiatives including:
    • The online mental health portal to ensure that mental health consumers and their families are better aware of the services available to them.
    • The e-mental health clinic to provide web-based psychological services up to 85,000 people over 5 years.
“For the first time, Australians with a mental illness will get the care they need when they need it. The Government is investing in more services on the ground to make a real, practical difference to the lives of millions of Australians with mental illness.”

“Our investments and reforms will give Australians living with poor mental health better access to appropriate support and the best chance to recover, stabilise and stay well in the community.”

For more information, please contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7280

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