Government provides help to people with drought related trauma
The Australian Government is providing $10.1 million to help people living in drought affected communities to deal with drought related psychological trauma.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Brett Mason, said total funding of $7.4 million would be provided to 39 Divisions of General Practice in drought affected rural and remote areas around Australia, to employ community support workers for provision of crisis counselling and outreach services to people affected psychologically by the drought.
Funding is to train workforce and community leaders to recognise and respond to the early warnings of emotional distress, and raise awareness of mental health issues and services.
The Government will work closely with ‘Beyond Blue’and the Australian General Practice Network to implement this initiative.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/dgpp-trauma
