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New measures are being put in place to ensure Victorians seeking treatment for mental health concerns and substance addiction are able to better access support.
Having announced a partnership with expert providers for the new statewide specialist service, Minister for Mental Health Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced that Eastern Heath, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Western Health and Austin Health (in partnership with Goulburn Valley Health) will run as the initial hubs across the state.
The government’s $21.5 million investment into the service — a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System — should ensure people with coexisting mental health problems and substance issues receive the care they require earlier and closer to home.
Additionally, education and training initiatives for mental health and alcohol and other drugs practitioners will also be offered, as well as the undertaking of dedicated research into co-occurring mental illness and substance use.
As it aims to deliver another key component of the royal commission, the government will also seek to increase the capacity of the mental health system — with the hope it will boost its ability to deliver collaborative, integrated care to support seeking individuals.
Turning Point, an addiction treatment and research centre, will lead and coordinate the Statewide Specialist Service, accommodated by a $13.3 million investment from the state government.
“People with co-occurring mental health concerns often need unique, tailored care — and we’re making sure that’s available to every Victorian, with more specialist workers and addiction treatment hubs across the state,” Ms Williams said.
She shared that “the royal commission told us integrated care is vital for Victorians struggling with co-occurring mental illness — the Statewide Specialist Service will support people every step of their recovery journey”.
Ms Thomas has also professed the need to “build a better system”: “One that works for people with co-occurring substance use of addiction and mental illness. A system that ensures people get the world-class treatment and wraparound support they deserve.”
As part of its plans, the Victorian government has also expressed its plans to invest more than $42 million across four years to boost integrated services for Victorians living with co-occurring mental health concerns and addiction or substance abuse issues.
Additional reforms include grants and scholarships for trainee addiction specialists and nurses, and the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Facility Renewal Fund — delivering 45 projects across the state for mental health, alcohol and drug treatment.
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