Mental Heath Funding extended for 2014/15

The media release on 4 April by the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Health, announcing the Australian Government’s commitment of $170 million in mental health funding was very welcome. This funding will allow 150 mental health services, suicide prevention and postvention programmes to continue to deliver services through 2014/15. This funding will ensure the continuity of services while the National Mental Health Commission undertakes a review of all existing services. It is hoped that in line with the acknowledgement of the Australian Government’s commitment to mental health in this release, that they will put a priority on this review and make a firm and timely commitment to funding beyond 2015. This will allow services to plan and continue operation into the future, and to ensure that people in need of these services are not disadvantaged.