Mental health emerged as one of the big winners from Tuesday’s federal budget, with the government committing an increase of $338 million in mental health funding. Mental health emerged as one of the big winners from Tuesday’s federal budget, with the government committing an increase of $338 million in mental health funding.

There was also an investment of $37.6 million to expand beyondblue Way Back Support Service, which provides outreach, follow-up care and practical support to people discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt. There was also an investment of $37.6 million to expand beyondblue Way Back Support Service, which provides outreach, follow-up care and practical support to people discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt.

Lifeline will receive $33.8 million to support its telephone crisis services, while SANE Australia will receive $1.2 million.

The Medical Research Future Fund will be used to drive a new initiative called the Million Minds Mission, which involves $125 million invested over the next 10 years to research and support an additional million people with mental illness. The Medical Research Future Fund will be used to drive a new initiative called the Million Minds Mission, which involves $125 million invested over the next 10 years to research and support an additional million people with mental illness.
Health Minister Greg Hunt also detailed other budget measures focused on older and rural Australians. Health Minister Greg Hunt also detailed other budget measures focused on older and rural Australians.

“Men over 85 years of age have the highest risk of suicide for all ages. That’s why the government will deliver $82.5 million for psychological services in residential aged care, while mental health nurses will help develop and deliver a $20 million program to support older Australians in the community who are isolated and at risk,” Hunt said. “Men over 85 years of age have the highest risk of suicide for all ages. That’s why the government will deliver $82.5 million for psychological services in residential aged care, while mental health nurses will help develop and deliver a $20 million program to support older Australians in the community who are isolated and at risk,” Hunt said.

“The National Mental Health Commission will receive an increase of $12.4 million to oversee mental health reform and take an expanded role under the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. “The National Mental Health Commission will receive an increase of $12.4 million to oversee mental health reform and take an expanded role under the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.

“We will also fund the Royal Flying Doctor Service for mental health outreach, which will receive $20.4 million to ensure regional and rural Australians get care wherever they are.” “We will also fund the Royal Flying Doctor Service for mental health outreach, which will receive $20.4 million to ensure regional and rural Australians get care wherever they are.”
The social sector’s response to these measures has been broadly positive. The social sector’s response to these measures has been broadly positive.

Beyondblue chair Julia Gillard welcomed the government’s funding boost, noting that up to a quarter of those discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt will try to take their own lives again in the next three months. Beyondblue chair Julia Gillard welcomed the government’s funding boost, noting that up to a quarter of those discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt will try to take their own lives again in the next three months.

“That is why we need The Way Back,” Gillard said. “That is why we need The Way Back,” Gillard said.
“It fills a gap in the health care system by supporting people through those critical first three months and helping them find their way back to hope by keeping them safe, connected and motivated to live. “It fills a gap in the health care system by supporting people through those critical first three months and helping them find their way back to hope by keeping them safe, connected and motivated to live.

“The Way Back Support Service is ready for a national roll out. I will be personally advocating to premiers and chief ministers that they join with Minister Hunt in getting behind the Way Back. If we all get behind this up to 28,000 people and their families will be supported to find a way back from suicide.” “The Way Back Support Service is ready for a national roll out. I will be personally advocating to premiers and chief ministers that they join with Minister Hunt in getting behind the Way Back. If we all get behind this up to 28,000 people and their families will be supported to find a way back from suicide.”

SANE Australia CEO’s Jack Heath explained that the organisation would use its government funding to develop a pilot suicide prevention campaign. SANE Australia CEO’s Jack Heath explained that the organisation would use its government funding to develop a pilot suicide prevention campaign.

“We are very pleased that the government has recognised the need to invest in new and innovative approaches to prevent suicide,” Heath said. “We are very pleased that the government has recognised the need to invest in new and innovative approaches to prevent suicide,” Heath said.

– Luke Michael

Read more: Mental Health a Budget Winner

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