Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will ensure that a re-elected Federal Labor will provide wider accessibility to free mental health care for Australians with a new investment of $1 billion dollars.
The pledge, which is backed by Medicare, largely targets Youth Specialist Care Centres with the aim to delegate $500 million across 20 centres. These services specialise in catering to young people with complex needs such as personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis.
The Labor Party said that this will resolve a “critical service gap” in Australia’s mental health care system.
“I want everyone, and especially young people, to be able to access the mental health care they need,” Albanese said.
A further $225 million will be directed towards the construction and upgrade of 31 new and pre-existing Medicare Mental Health Care Centres, over $200 million for the expansion of 58 headspace services, and $90 million for more than 1,200 training centres for mental health professionals and peer workers.
The CEO of Mental Health Australia, Carolyn Nikoloski described the pledge as a “landmark investment”.
“Against the backdrop of serious cost-of-living pressures, commitments to free and accessible care are more important than ever, and will help deliver more equitable care across our communities,” she said.
Photo: Anthony Albanese portrait by Australian Government found HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.
