THE HON PETER DUTTON MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH
MINISTER FOR SPORT

MEDIA RELEASE  -  FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The Australian Government has provided $170 million for the continuation of 150 programs as part of its ongoing commitment to mental health.

The Minister for Health Peter Dutton said the funding would see the projects continue their work through 2014-15.

“It is essential to ensure the continuity for mental health services, suicide prevention and postvention programmes while the National Mental Health Commission undertakes its review of all existing services,” Mr Dutton said.

“People who experience mental ill health need to know that services are available to support them.

“Early notification of the continuation of funding will enable service providers to effectively plan service delivery through the 2014-15 financial year.”

Mr Dutton said future decisions on how the Australian Government should fund mental health programmes will be informed by the Commission’s review.

He said the review was important to ensure that services are being properly targeted and that funding is going to programmes that have proven most effective.

Information on the review can be found here