Time to put real funding towards mental health

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
13 October 2010

Almost half the population will experience a mental health disorder at some time in their life, but the funding to address this critically important area is totally inadequate according to Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria after attending a Mental Health Week event in Lilydale.

“We know that up to 50% of substance abuse problems in young people are preceded by mental illness, we need to break the cycle, invest in the future of our society and start to put some badly needed resources into mental health services.”

Only around one third of people with a mental illness use health services for their mental health problem.

“We need a significant boost in the mental health budget with a focus on community prevention, recovery centres and early intervention programs,” said Samantha.

“The Greens will prioritise badly needed early intervention services as advocated by Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry, ” concluded Samantha