Wagga’s Labor Party president and candidate for the seat of Riverina, Mark Jeffreson, welcomed the Federal Government’s election promise that could see headspace Wagga Wagga being upgraded if the ALP is returned to office. Photos: Supplied/headspace Wagga Wagga.
Wagga Wagga’s youth mental health centre is set to benefit from the Federal Government’s $200 million upgrade to free, public mental health care backed by Medicare if Labor is re-elected.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Labor Government’s $1 billion commitment to addressing gaps in support and expanding free mental health services to better meet the needs of all Australians.
The promise comes after a University of Sydney study found that headspace is struggling to meet demand, with only around one-third of clients improving after receiving care, and two-thirds either remaining the same or deteriorating.
The $1 billion mental health commitment includes: $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres; more than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services; $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs; and $90 million for more than 1200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.
Wagga’s Labor Party president and candidate for the seat of Riverina, Mark Jeffreson, welcomed the announcement that could see headspace Wagga Wagga upgraded if the Labor Government is re-elected.
“It will give us additional staff and capability to support young people who’ve got more complex and serious mental health issues,” Mr Jeffreson said.
“Unlike our political opponents, to have access to mental health assistance, you just need your Medicare card.”
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack also welcomed the upgrade for Wagga headspace.
“Fantastic. I brought headspace to Wagga, so I’m pleased that it is being upgraded,” Mr McCormack said.
Asked whether he would match his Labor rival, he said: “We’ll see. I’m not going to get into a Dutch auction here, but I know [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton announced hundreds of millions of dollars for mental health.
“There are still some gaps in the headspace provision of services throughout regional Australia, and I’m happy to work with any minister, any government, to bring about more mental health services for regional Australia.”
Mr Albanese said the new network of 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres was set to close the critical service gap in the mental health system to ensure young people in what mental health experts called “the missing middle” received the specialist help they needed.
“Filling the missing middle service gap means young people with complex mental health needs, like personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis, can get the ongoing and intensive care they need outside of hospital,” he said.
“As we expand the range of free services backed by Medicare, the Medicare Mental Health phone line and website will help Australians find the free service that is right for them.
“Providing more free, public mental health services for Australians with different levels of need will help to relieve pressure on the subsidised services provided by private psychologists.”
