Mental health funding integral to health reform
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists urges the Australian government to urgently consider further mental health funding as part of its overall health system reform.
“Mental health funding and services should be integral to planning and reforming the health system. Mental health funding should not be an optional extra,” said the president of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists pofessor Louise Newman.
“The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists welcomes the recent announcement of funding for sub-acute beds for mental health care and mental health services for young people, but mental health reform needs to be more than a piecemeal approach to funding. We require a well funded and integrated system of health care. Mental health should not be an afterthought in a process of health system reform,” said professor Newman.
“The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists supports the provision of a range of services and levels of care for individuals affected by mental illness, and their families and carers. One in five people will experience a mental illness at some stage in their lives and mental illness continues to be a major health and social issue,” he added.
“People with mental illness have a fundamental right to access appropriate services for their condition,” said professor Newman.
“Adequate hospital, secure and community-based services are required for the mentally ill across all age groups,” adds professor Newman.
“Some people require long term mental health support. The majority of people with mental illness can be supported to live full lives in the community with adequate community-based services and supervision. Some people require a hospital stay, where with advanced treatment they are stabilised and helped to reach their full potential,” said professor Newman.
“The difficulty for all health systems is to provide the appropriate balance of mental health services. The Royal Australian and New Zealand Collage of Psychiatrists is keen to ensure that there are a range of options for treatment and support across all ages groups,” according to professor Newman.
“Generally the majority of people with mental health issues can be managed in the community if adequate services and resources are available,” said professor Newman.
“Community mental health services focus on rehabilitation, reducing the need for hospitalisation and helping people to remain well. Prevention and early intervention programs across all age groups are essential. Investment in prevention is vital if we are to reduce the burden of mental illness across the community. This must include interventions for the range of factors linked to mental disorders such as substance misuse and child abuse.”
