108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
Queensland’s peak body for the community managed mental health sector launched a campaign this week in the lead up to the state election.
The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) has stressed a need for an additional $150 million recurrent funding to ensure all Queenslanders can access the care that they need within their own communities.
“Community based mental health services provide practical supports for people to manage the impacts of illness, and they provide opportunities to re-establish skills lost, such as employment, education, leisure, social relationships and connection with community,” CEO of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health Jennifer Black said.
“We are currently waiting for the release of a national report which will quantify the gap in these types of supports across Australia. We know that compared to other Australian States and Territories, Queensland’s investment in these crucial services is alarmingly low.”
Tanya O’Shea, Managing Director at IMPACT Community Services in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay said, “Despite our proven ability to deliver effective preventative and community-based mental health services, we are constrained by inadequate funding. This can delay critical help for those in need. Our programs, led by peer support workers (many with lived experience), provide immediate, empathetic care. While clinical care is often prioritised, our services are equally vital. We call for long-term funding to ensure no one misses out on the support they need, when they need it.”
QAMH’s latest state budget analysis found that an additional $150 million in state funding is needed to bridge the gap in state-funded community based mental health supports for people with severe and complex mental illness.
The time for action is now: QAMH calls on all parties to invest in community based mental health services in this election and save lives.
Tell your MP to save lives by properly funding community mental health by visiting https://fundcommunitymentalhealth.com.au.
Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.