The ACT Greens have promised four mental health Safe Haven hubs (walk-in centres) in the town centres of Tuggeranong, Molonglo, Dickson, and Gungahlin, so every Canberran can access free care in their neighbourhood.

ACT Labor, however, criticised the Greens’ pledge for continuing existing programs and projects, not accounting for federal government investments in mental health, and not providing detail on costings.

“Everyone should have access to affordable mental health care, when they need it – not just when they are in crisis,” ACT Greens mental health spokesperson Emma Davidson MLA, current Minister for Mental Health, said.

“We are living in a cost-of-living and climate crisis. People are experiencing higher levels of distress than ever before, placing more pressure on our mental health system. But mental healthcare is expensive, and wait times can be lengthy. 

“The sad reality is that too many people only access free care once they are in a crisis.

“The ACT Greens want to ensure every Canberran has access to free mental health care and support when they need it most, and will deliver more, at no cost, support across the full spectrum of need. 

“We will focus on early intervention and prevention by expanding the mental health walk-in centre network (known as Safe Havens) so there’s one in each town centre, providing care closer to your home and before you reach crisis point.”

Laura Nuttall, ACT Greens MLA for Brindabella, said today’s announcement could change the lives of many young people in Canberra who struggle to find mental health support. 

“I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in my late teens, and I really struggled to get the support I needed,” Miss Nuttall said. 

“I had to wait months to see someone, and during that time, my mental health declined even further. It was a really awful time for me and pretty tough for my family. 

“Had there been a mental health walk-in centre nearby, it might have pulled me out of the hole that I was in while I waited for more dedicated support. 

“I know that so many young people are facing similar challenges. And, in a cost-of-living crisis where you’re struggling to pay the rent and feed yourself, you’re not going to be in a position to pay the hundreds of dollars it costs to see a psychologist. 

“The Greens want to ensure all Canberrans can live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives, and that means ensuring they have the support they need, when they need it.”.  

Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens, was the ACT’s first stand-alone Minister for Mental Health. 

“The ACT Greens understand the challenges facing so many Canberrans, and have long advocated for better mental health support in our city,” Mr Rattenbury said. “We have been working hard to deliver life-changing services for Canberrans.”

In May, the Greens announced support for GPs to provide free, long appointments for Canberrans with chronic mental health conditions.

“Having a doctor who understands your condition means better care and someone you trust throughout your journey,” Ms Davidson said.

The Greens’ plans for more free mental health services include:

• Expanding the Police, Ambulance, Clinician Early Response (PACER) by building a safe place for people who need some temporary support outside of home, but who do not need to go to hospital;
• A Distress Brief Intervention trial, which will deliver social services support to address the issues that cause mental distress and can exacerbate someone’s ill health;
• More eating disorder services in the ACT to address care gaps, including a day program for people who need support beyond the early intervention program, but are not quite ready for the residential centre;
• A dedicated eating disorder inpatient unit for people requiring more acute care than the residential centre offers, and which integrates medical stabilisation with psychological therapy;
• Permanently funding youth mental health services WOKE and Stepping Stones;
• A youth-specific, drop-in safe space for those who are near or at crisis point with their mental health; and
• Two new centres for perinatal mental health care including a residential centre for parents who need support outside of their home, but not in hospital. It will also include space for a perinatal drop-in service for any parent feeling distressed, isolated, or lonely to go to during the day for peer mental health support.
• A perinatal mental health inpatient unit at the North Canberra hospital, where parent and baby can stay together safely for more acute treatment.

“Through the introduction of PACER, Safe Haven and the expansion of Step-Up-Step Down centres, we are creating a network of support for Canberrans before they reach crisis and need to go to hospital,” Mr Rattenbury said. 

“This means more people getting support earlier in their mental health journey and for those who really need it, the reassurance that they can get hospital care without having to wait.

“Our commitment today builds upon this work and looks to grow our mental health system to support even more Canberrans. It will deliver life-saving services for people with mental illness, and expand our mental health system to be more robust and accessible.”   

“We have a passionate workforce, transformative services, and a community that genuinely cares about each other’s mental wellbeing,” Ms Davidson said. 

“We’ve made great progress on mental health services, but we could go so much further with more Greens in Government. All this is possible, if you vote for it.”

ACT Labor

Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Labor health spokeswoman and current health minister, said: “ACT Labor has a proud record of investing in mental health. Every Budget has delivered more funding for mental health services, and we have continued to advocate for the delivery of key commitments to ensure the community has support to access the services they need.

“Much of the Greens’ package simply continues existing programs and projects. For other elements, it is not clear they take account of the significant investments the Federal Government has put in place, such as walk-in mental health services through Head to Health.

“It is unfortunate that very little detail on the commitments has been provided, including costings.

“The Greens have held the mental health portfolio for almost eight years, and Canberrans can judge for themselves how their Ministers have performed.

“ACT Labor will always invest in free, accessible and inclusive public healthcare for Canberrans. We will have more to say about our mental health election commitments over the coming months.”