The federal and ACT governments have signed an agreement to invest $38 million on mental health and suicide prevention as part of the Territory’s pandemic recovery.
Under the deal, the Commonwealth will spend $25.2 million and the ACT $12.9 million over the next five years.
New services particularly for people in the mental health group known as the “missing middle” will be established.
Some $8.3 million will go to Head to Health support to address gaps in the system and provide more integrated care for adults and older Australians.
A further $9 million will be channelled into improving access to multidisciplinary team care for children in line with the National Head to Health Kids Hub model.
More than $9 million will flow to the Territory’s headspace centre to improve access and early intervention for at-risk young people, while $6 million will go to aftercare services following suicide attempts or suicidal crises.
Another $2.8 million is being directed towards perinatal mental health screening and $1.9 million for early intervention services for eating disorders.
In addition, the two tiers of government will share more data, further integrate referral pathways and work together on planning and commissioning of services.
More jobs are also likely for the sector.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the agreement will ensure ACT residents have access to support when and where they need it.
“This landmark agreement will be of immense benefit to everyone in the ACT and will support our ongoing national recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said on Sunday.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr particularly welcomed additional investment in early intervention and prevention as a part of the nation’s approach to addressing mental illness.
Meanwhile international tourists are being wooed Down Under as COVID-19 restrictions are further eased in a bid to reboot Australia’s pandemic-ravaged travel sector.
Virgin Australia has announced discounts on up to 1.5 million flights, including short-haul international destinations.
However it’s visiting international travellers the federal government most hopes to entice with the easing of travel rules.
While still needing to be fully vaccinated, from April 17 they will no longer require a negative test result to board a flight to Australia.
Qantas launched a campaign on Friday to showcase the country as a prime international destination.
The ads feature iconic local landscapes, while the country’s sporting and cultural stars sing I Still Call Australia Home with members of the Australian Girls Choir, National Boys Choir and Gondwana Choir.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA:
ACT: 799 cases, no deaths, 45 in hospital including three in ICU.
NSW: 17,450 cases, one death, 1171 in hospital including 47 in ICU
Victoria: 7466 cases, five deaths, 260 in hospital including 19 in ICU
Tasmania: 1517, no deaths, 29 in hospital including one in ICU
AAP
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