Fiona Martin (Reid, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On 10 October we marked World Mental Health Day—a day that aims to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing and to encourage help-seeking behaviour. Just as it is important to look after your physical health, we must also prioritise our mental health and wellbeing. As a psychologist, mental health is an area of policy that I'm particularly passionate about, and I'm grateful that I am able to contribute in this place and pass on my expertise in this area.

Forty-five per cent of Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. For those who live with a mental health condition, the additional factors caused by coronavirus have no doubt made this year a very, very challenging time. Levels of anxiety, social isolation and emotional distress have increased significantly worldwide during this year's during this year's global health emergency. Australia was one of the first countries in the world to recognise the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact that the coronavirus pandemic would have on Australians' mental health, and we responded early and substantially in terms of our financial support and practical support.

This year's theme for World Mental Health Day is 'Mental Health for all: Greater Investment—Greater Access. Everyone, everywhere'. This theme is in line with the Morrison government's commitment to mental health funding. We have spent more on mental health than any other government before us. The most recent budget also delivers more good news for mental health services in Australia. This year alone, our government has dedicated $5.7 billion to mental health services. Medicare funded psychological services through the Better Access have doubled from 10 to 20 sessions, which has had a big impact for those with mental health conditions on the front line. For those with complex conditions, it means additional services to treat complicated conditions using evidence based techniques—and that makes all the difference.

Just as the theme for World Mental Health Day suggests, mental health services are most effective when they are invested in and easily accessible to all. This is why the MBS items relating to mental health will cover face-to-face, telehealth, video and phone sessions. These have been particularly important for those in Victoria who have sustained an incredibly difficult time during lockdown and also for those in regional and rural areas. These services have been an integral part in maintaining good mental health that is easy to access. This budget will also deliver additional funding for services like Lifeline, headspace, Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline, who do incredible work around the clock supporting Australians wherever they are located.

On 10 October, the date on which World Mental Health Day fell, I was fortunate enough to have the Treasurer in my electorate in Reid visiting my local headspace, located in Ashfield. Headspace is a one-stop shop for young people. It includes clinical services, outreach support, help with employment and study support, and there's a range of mental health workers in the headspace clinics, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and various other support staff. I want to thank all the mental health workforce who have been working incredibly hard during this period, helping Australians across the nation and supporting us all. The Morrison government is driving the largest expansion of the headspace network, investing $630.4 million over the next four years, to ensure that headspace is able to provide clinical services and outreach. By supporting the mental health of all Australians, we are better supporting the nation in the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, and I commend the work of headspace and mental health professionals across our nation.

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