$2.2m boost to mental health services in remote SA

Mental health services will increase in central Australia and the Eyre Peninsula, following a $2.2 million boost in funding from the Australian Government, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Senator Brett Mason, has announced.

“The Australian Government is funding five new professional staff to provide mental health services from Ceduna and across the Anangu Pitjantjatjarra Yunkatjatjarra (APY) Lands,” Senator Mason said.

The new services were launched in Whyalla by the Member for Grey, Mr Barry Wakelin, who represented Senator Mason.

Mr Wakelin said the funding would ease the difficulties that people who lived in rural and remote areas experienced when they needed mental health services.

“I am pleased to announce that the Eyre Peninsula Division of General Practice ($1.1 million) and Nganampa Health Council ($1.1 million) have been selected to provide mental health services in rural and remote areas of South Australia under this initiative,” Mr Wakelin said.

Senator Mason said: “At the outset, the Government is providing more than $21 million for areas of high need – providing funds to organisations that include Divisions of General Practice, Aboriginal Medical Services and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“The increased funding is part of the first stage of the Australian Government’s $72.3 million investment in the Mental Health Services in Rural and Remote Areas initiative.

“The Australian Government is funding selected support organisations that are able to deliver mental health services in identified geographical areas-of-need.

“These organisations will deliver mental health services provided by professionals who include psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, mental health nurses, Aboriginal health workers and Aboriginal mental health workers,” Senator Mason said.

Stage two of the initiative will provide more mental health services in areas where capacity for service delivery is low. It will also focus on drought affected areas across Australia, with $20.6 million specifically earmarked for mental health services in these areas.

The Mental Health Services in Rural and Remote Areas initiative is part of the Australian Government’s $1.9 billion contribution to the Council of Australian Governments’ National Action Plan on Mental Health.