Page 2781 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 13 August 2019
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and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (3.05): I am pleased to speak today about the initiatives announced in the 2019-20 ACT budget, and in particular those that fall within my portfolio responsibilities as the Minister for Mental Health and the minister with responsibility for justice health.
As Minister Stephen-Smith has outlined, this year’s budget is very much focused on making the investments needed to futureproof our health system. This means ensuring that our hospitals, local health services and facilities are resourced appropriately to expand as our population continues to grow.
In the mental health space, this includes more support for mental health services so that people experiencing mental illness can access a better range of treatment options. This approach acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach cannot work to meet the mental health needs of people across our diverse community.
In the justice health space, it is about strengthening diversion processes, offering people alternative pathways away from the courts where possible and improving health services for people in custody.
I am pleased to say that this year’s budget will continue to increase investment in mental health and justice health, with $686 million over the next four years. This commitment is in line with our focus on the delivery of an integrated cross-sector system that provides a better range of appropriate treatment and care options that are accessible to people with mental health concerns or illness, in a timely manner.
Investing in our local community organisations for the delivery of mental health services across the ACT is also important to provide the community with the full range of treatment options in their personal journey. The ACT government has a strong history of partnering with community sector organisations to deliver community-based mental health services and supports.
One example, which I was very pleased about this year, was the launch of the Recovery College. The early feedback I have had on that is that it is a popular service, and the community are very encouraged by it. I look forward to getting further updates on that. It is being led by the Mental Health Community Coalition, in partnership with ACT Health. I think it is a great example of how government can effectively partner with community organisations to deliver not only good services but also innovative services.
This year will see over $10.7 million provided to community organisations for the mental health services they deliver across the ACT. Further, building on investments the government has made in recent years, funding for new mental health initiatives has increased by five per cent, with a $24.2 million funding package.
As members have heard me say before, around one-third of Canberrans will experience poor mental health at some stage in their lives; and as our city grows, we will see further increases in demand for mental health services. With this growth we know that our acute services simply cannot, nor should they be expected to, provide care for everyone with a mental health issue, as the acute care setting may not be the
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