21 September 2024
More mental health support for young Canberrans

Demand for mental health services is growing, with more people, especially young Canberrans, experiencing challenges and complexities in their lives.
 
As part of Labor’s commitment to 800 more health workers, we will hire more mental health specialists, nurse practitioners and allied health workers to deliver more mental health services in our hospitals and in the community.
 
This builds on our commitment to employ 15 additional school psychologists or mental health practitioners to work in ACT public schools.
 
To provide Canberrans with more accessible mental health support, we will introduce advanced practice mental health nurses and mental health nurse practitioners in Walk-in Centres.
 
Specially trained nurses will provide treatment and a safe space that supports people presenting with mental concerns with their physical and mental health needs. This means more mental health services in the community for extended hours, taking the pressure of our emergency departments and providing an accessible option for people who don’t need to be in hospital.
 
We will expand the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service to support children and young people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties.
 
A re-elected Labor Government will also increase funding to mental health community sector partners so they can continue delivering critical community mental health programs.
 
We’ll back in services we know are working, like MOST, WOKE, Stepping Stones and Youth Aware of Mental Health, and we’ll support the ACT Child and Youth Mental Health Sector Alliance to continue its work to build a better integrated youth mental health system.
 
Working with the community, a re-elected Labor Government will investigate options to tackle loneliness by supporting activities that build human connection and co‑designing a social prescribing program with GPs and youth health services.
 
Hiring more specialists and mental health staff and working with the community sector will enable the delivery of more services and help to reduce wait times.
 
A re-elected Labor Government will invest more in our public health system so every Canberran can access the right healthcare, in the right place and at the right time.

It is all part of our progressive, practical and proven plan for Canberra.

Statement ends

Media contact:
Kaarin Dynon    0422 772 215   [email protected]