Budget 2018: Government pledges to boost mental health services

Tens of millions of dollars has been set aside in the federal budget in a bid to boost mental health services and decrease the rate of suicide among Australians.

The government is allocating $37.6 million over four years to improve follow-up care for people discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt, according to the 2018-19 Budget Paper.

This will support people in the high risk of suicide category – referring to those who have attempted to take their life in the last three months.

$37 million dollars has been set aside in the federal budget in a bid to decrease the rate of suicide among Australians. Treasurer Scott Morrison (left) said funding will be bolstered towards mental health research and services including Lifeline Australia

Beyondblue chair Julia Gillard has welcomed the federal government for providing more funding to the suicide prevention program

In the budget announcement Treasurer Scott Morrison said funding will be bolstered towards mental health research and Lifeline Australia to improve their telephone crisis service

More than $10 million has also been pledged to mental health organisation beyondblue

In the budget announcement Treasurer Scott Morrison said funding will be bolstered towards mental health research and Lifeline Australia to improve their telephone crisis service.

More than $10 million has also been pledged to mental health organisation beyondblue. 

Beyondblue’s program, The Way Back, provides one-on-one help to people in the critical three months after a suicide attempt, SMH reports. 

Beyondblue chair Julia Gillard has welcomed the federal government for providing more funding to the suicide prevention program.

‘People who were discharged from hospital after attempting suicide often went back into the same circumstances that led them to that point.

‘The statistics tell us that there’s no group at greater risk of suicide than the people who have already made a suicide attempt,’ Ms Gillard told SMH.   

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.