Mental health boost

The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has welcomed the news that southern Tasmanians will now have much greater access to free psychological treatment thanks to a tripling of federal funding.

The Federal Mental Health Minister, Mark Butler, joined Mr Wilkie at General Practice South to announce funding for the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program has risen from $187,000 last financial year to more than $820,000 this financial year.

The program eliminates the need to pay for one-on-one psychological services for patients.

This means people who sometimes struggle to access these services, such as young people and low income earners, will be more likely to get the help they need.

“Asking for help can be hard enough without the extra stress of worrying about where you’re going to find the money to pay for a psychologist,’’ Mr Wilkie said.

The funding boost also ensures more face-to-face psychological services are available for people at risk of suicide. This is particularly important in Tasmania, which has the second highest suicide rate in the country with 15.1 suicide deaths per 100,000 people.

“My office often hears from people who are depressed and suicidal and feel they’ve nowhere to turn,’’ Mr Wilkie said.

“People get to a crisis point and descend into a cycle of illness, hospital, police and homelessness.

“This funding will mean people can get help when they need it, rather than reaching crisis point.’’

Mr Wilkie said the Federal Government had doubled funding to ATAPS in the Federal Budget – but Southern Tasmania’s share had tripled in recognition of its greater need for the service.

“I’ve consistently raised the need for better mental health services with the Prime Minister and I’m delighted my lobbying has helped secure such a significant boost,’’ Mr Wilkie said.

“Today’s announcement is a good start to improving the lives and chances of people with mental illness.

“This boost is all the more critical given the State Government has cut funding to mental health.’’

The funding has gone to General Practice South, who will deliver the service with Relationships Australia and other providers.

General Practice South services more than 242,000 people in an area which includes Denison, but also spreads from Strathgordon in the far west to Swansea on the east coast and from Oatlands in the north to Dover in the south.