Delivering connected mental health and alcohol and drug services

12 November, 2020

Jeremy Rockliff MP

2020-21 Budget: Delivering connected mental health and alcohol and drug services

The Tasmanian Government has a plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania with the 2020-21 Budget including a $12 million additional investment to deliver a well-integrated and flexible mental health and alcohol and other drugs service for the entire community.

We recognise that mental health is a critical area of government service delivery and this Budget provides funding for a range of services designed to increase access and ensure no-one falls through the gaps.

The Government is also committed to improving alcohol and other drugs services to meet the growing need within the community and so Tasmanians can get the help they need, when they need it.

Some of the initiatives funded in the 2020-21 State Budget include:

• $1.2 million for community mental health, including alcohol and other drug, support initiatives;
• $2.1 million to community organisations to support individuals experiencing mental health difficulties as a result of issues associated with the coronavirus pandemic;
• $4.9 million over two years to build on existing, and launch a number of new programs, to improve services under the Reform Agenda for the Alcohol and other Drugs Sector in Tasmania;
• $4.1 million over two years to address priority areas in the Mental Health Reform Agenda;
• Ongoing funding for mental health beds, including 15 new beds at St John’s Park and 12 new beds at the redeveloped Peacock Centre;
• Continuing funding for the Mental Health Hospital-in-the-Home service trial, while the St John’s Park centre is being developed, enabling people to avoid hospital while receiving hospital-level care;
• Support for community-based alcohol and drug rehabilitation beds at Ulverstone and other locations around the State; and
• Continuing the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative trial which aims to provide better clinical and psychosocial rehabilitation supports linked to stable housing and supported accommodation.

We want to decrease the reliance on acute inpatient services and ensure Tasmanians are able to get the support they need, when they need it, with the confidence that our services are well-integrated.

This Budget recognises the vital importance of connected and integrated mental health services and delivers a range of initiatives to ensure Tasmanians are supported and have the services they need.