See more: Mental health groups support reform
THE federal government has announced an overhaul to the mental healthcare system, scrapping the current “one-size-fits-all” approach.
New integrated care packages will be commissioned through the government’s 31 Primary Health Networks across Australia, allowing services to be tailored to the specific needs of local areas.
Health Minister Sussan Ley said this would particularly ensure Australians in regional areas were better supported.
“Current Medicare spending on psychological services for people in major cities is more-than-double that per capita of people in outer regional and remote areas.”
One dedicated phone number and website will be established as part of a “one-stop-shop digital gateway” giving Australians access to high-quality mental health advice and resources whenever and wherever they need it.
One issue raised was the lack of psychological care in regional and rural areas.
Professor Ian Hickie, from the National Mental Health Commission, said workforce distribution was the issue, as there were enough professionals but they were not distributed properly.
“It’s the tyranny of geography (and will be solved) with digital reform,” Prof. Hickie said.
Professor Allan Fels, from the National Mental Health Commission, said Australians would benefit from this ease of access.
"One number to call to get into the system and one website. One point to go to that is set up to deal with a huge range of problems from mild to serious,” Prof. Fels said.
"General move to more emphasis on prevention and early intervention."
There are 30 individual government-supported phone and online mental health services available to the public, making navigation through services difficult.
“Evidence shows that, for some counselling services, over 300 people each month cannot get through. Other services have answering rates of about 60 per cent,” Ms Ley said.
The transition to the new service will occur across three years.
"This is not a trial. This is backed by evidence, has been tested, this is what they've been crying out for and the government has delivered,” Ms Ley said.
It’s estimated between four and five million Australians suffer some form of mental health issue in any one given year, ranking as the third largest chronic disease in the country.
