One year after the historic delivery of the final report from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the Andrews Labor Government has made huge inroads into the landmark reform of the state’s mental health and wellbeing services, with work underway on more than 85 per cent of the 74 recommendations.
The Royal Commission’s 2021 report outlined a 10-year blueprint Victoria’s future mental health and wellbeing services, building a system where every Victorian gets the timely, tailored support they need – close to home.
Progress has already been made on 65 of 74 recommendations, backed by the Labor Government’s record $3.8 billion investment in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 – the largest single investment in mental health in Australia’s history.
Already, this work has delivered almost 1,000 extra jobs in the mental health workforce. It has expanded the Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement Service and established the Mental Health Levy so Victoria’s biggest, most profitable businesses to play their part in building the state’s new wellbeing system.
The Labor Government today also announced the locations for the next 21 Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services, with a service to open in both Portland and Warrnambool – a brand-new model of care that will see Victorians get the mental health support they need, as soon as they need it, close to home.
The local services will act as a ‘front door’ to the reformed mental health system, providing early intervention support for adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress without needing a referral from a GP, and before people need clinical hospital emergency department.
Set to open from mid-2023, these additional 21 local centres will service key priority areas for support across metropolitan, outer-suburban and regional centres.
This builds on the six services previously announced and already preparing to open their doors and start providing care in 2022: Benalla, Latrobe Valley, Frankston, Brimbank, Whittlesea and Greater Geelong.
By the end of 2026, up to 60 local services will open across the state – connecting Victorians to the care they need in their own communities.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“We aren’t wasting a moment getting on and building the mental health system Victorians need and deserve – and one year in, we’ve already made progress on delivering services that will change our state forever.”
“In the South West we’ve delivered important steps forward making sure our community can get the care they need, as soon as they need it, close to home.”