Originally published January 29 2006
Experts urge Australian government to increase spending to avoid mental health crisis
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
As the demand for mental healthcare increases, the Australian mental health profession faces severe shortages, and many government officials say that only a larger healthcare budget can help the country get out of its current predicament.
The finger is again being pointed at the federal, state and territory governments for not doing enough to avert Australia's looming crisis in mental health.
Experts working in the field say a new national report released today demonstrates that not enough is being spent to ease the situation which is reaching critical levels, with growing numbers of people seeking acute help.
Releasing this year's National Mental Health Report, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Christopher Pyne, says it illustrates that the Commonwealth has significantly increased its spending on mental health.
DANIEL HOARE: The National Mental Health Report provides information on how State and Federal governments in Australia have addressed the area over a 10-year period to 2003.
Sebastian Rosenberg, from the Mental Health Council of Australia, says governments at state and federal level are still not taking the issue of mental health seriously enough.
SEBASTIAN ROSENBERG: Mental health accounts for about 25 per cent of the burden of disease in Australia, and this report indicates that nothing much has changed, and mental health still attracts only seven per cent of the budget.
SEBASTIAN ROSENBERG: I think there are moves now to begin that process, but I think we've had glossy documents and plans for some time.
What we actually really need now is some action, and I'm very pleased that the Federal Government has put this matter on the COAG (Council of Australian Governments) agenda for February, but the council will really be looking for outcomes from that meeting.
DANIEL HAORE: Sebastian Rosenberg says that too many of the key mental health services are in hospitals, and they need to be out in the community.
DANIEL HOARE: The Mental Health Council's Sebastian Rosenberg concedes that politicians and the community are now beginning to understand the extent of mental illness in Australia.
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