In an open letter to Tony Abbott, Mental Health Australia called on the Prime Minister and COAG leaders to “urgently work together to reform our nation’s failing mental health system”.
Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan said Health Minister Sussan Ley had already indicated the need for a coordinated, national agreement.
Mr Quinlan said the country had waited “too long” for such an agreement.
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“The system is in crisis right now,” he said.
“We need action - not after the next budget, not after the next election, but starting now with a commitment from our leaders.”
The letter comes as Mr Abbott prepares to meet with state and territory leaders who have been urged to develop and agree on a fully funded National Mental Health Agreement that:
- outlines responsibilities across health and social services portfolios
- boosts investment in early intervention and prevention
- expands and streamlines services in the community, close to need
- guarantees service standards to those who experience mental illness and their carers.
Ms Ley said work on a national plan was already “well underway", while Shadow Mental Health Minister Jan McLucas said "time was running out" for action.
The letter followed the long awaited review of Australia’s mental health programs and services, which described a fragmented system operating without any agreed upon outcome.
The 700 page report issued in April outlined “fundamental structural shortcomings” and called for the future redirection of $1 billion in funding from acute hospital care to community based mental health programs.
Read the summary of the Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services below.
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