It’s Mental Health Week (October 9-15) and Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP is encouraging the community to be more aware of the social and emotional wellbeing of themselves, their families, their loved ones and friends.
Mr van Manen said it was important for all of us, whatever our background, age or circumstances, to help each other identify mental health issues and seek support.
“Mental health is a top priority for the Turnbull Government and we are tackling it on a range of fronts through our ongoing mental health reform package,” Mr van Manen said.
“The Turnbull Government’s mental health reforms are aimed at providing better targeted, accessible and effective services for all Australians.
“The Coalition is committed to strengthening mental health care and suicide prevention with its pledge of $192 million over the next four years for new mental health care programs.”
People of all ages, and especially people in rural and regional areas, will benefit from the Government’s mental health reforms, which include:
- a new ‘stepped care’ model which tailors services to people’s needs;
- a digital gateway as the first contact point for many people to find information and, where needed, referral to treatment services;
- new ‘low intensity’ support to individuals, including mental health coaches;
- innovative approaches to provide coordinated care for people with severe mental illness and complex care needs;
- local planning of services, including commissioning of mental health services to fill gaps and meet local needs; and
- greater connection between local services.
