Access is "substantially" more limited: Dyson pushes for more mental health funding for regional Australia

Independent candidate for Wannon, Alex Dyson, has welcomed Labor's $1 billion mental health pledge but says Western District communities need dedicated regional funding to address the unique challenges faced outside metropolitan areas.

Dyson spoke out yesterday following Labor's announcement, which includes funding for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres and 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services.

“Improving regional healthcare services, including mental health support, has been a key priority raised with me by people across Wannon,” Dyson said.

"While I welcome both major party commitments to increasing national mental health funding, neither party is offering the specific support that our regional communities so urgently need."

Dyson said despite similar rates of mental health illness between cities and country areas, rural communities face significantly limited access to services, with suicide rates rising with remoteness.

"Evidence shows that while the rate of mental health illness is similar between cities and the regions, access to mental health services is substantially more limited, with rates of self-harm and suicide increasing with remoteness," he said.

"Farmers are also twice as likely to die of suicide, compared to the average Australian, with a farmer dying by suicide every 10 days."

Labor's announcements follow earlier mental health commitments from the Coalition, which last month pledged $400 million for youth mental health services and promised to reinstate 20 Medicare-funded psychology sessions — a COVID-era measure to double the number of sessions scrapped in 2022.

Labor's billion-dollar package, announced on April 8, includes $225 million for Medicare Mental Health Centres, over $200 million for headspace services, $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs, and $90 million for more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.

However, Dyson remains concerned that neither major party has specifically earmarked funds for regional mental health needs.

If elected, the Independent candidate said he would push for dedicated regional mental health investment, including a $50 million Agriculture Mental Health Plan recently proposed by over 30 rural and healthcare organisations.

"If elected as an Independent MP, I will take regional communities' needs to Canberra, and work with whoever is in Government to secure dedicated regional mental health investment," Dyson said.

In October last year Liberal MP for Wannon, Dan Tehan, called for more investment in mental health services for young people living in the region, particularly around early intervention and prevention. In March, Tehan was also advocating for a standalone Headspace mental health and wellbeing facility in Ararat. 

The Brolga has contacted Tehan for comment but did not hear back by time of publishing.

_{Thumbnail: Wikimedia Commons & Facebook / Alex Dyson}