As the Federal election approaches, a major promise from the Labor Party aims to address mental health challenges across Australia with a $1 billion investment in Medicare-backed free mental health services. This initiative includes upgrades to several Headspace centres, including a new “Headspace Plus” in Dandenong, which stands out as the only location in the Bruce seat to receive this upgrade. The plan also includes the expansion of services in Frankston and the creation of a brand-new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Cranbourne.
The Scope of the Investment
Under the proposed plan, over 100 mental health centres will be opened or upgraded across the country in the next four years. This includes $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres and more than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded, or expanded Headspace services. An additional $500 million will fund 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres aimed at providing support for young people with complex mental health care needs. Furthermore, the government has committed $90 million to create 1,200 training placements for mental health professionals and peer workers.
Welcoming the Commitment, but Gaps Remain
Jason Trethowan, CEO of Headspace, welcomed the announcement, noting that it responds to the increasing and innovative ways Headspace can offer support to more young people, particularly those facing difficult times due to mental health challenges. However, experts such as Dr. Kathryn Daley, a senior lecturer at RMIT University and a practitioner in youth work and psychology, have raised concerns that while expanding existing services is important, it doesn’t necessarily address the broader needs of the youth population.
A Concern About the “Missing Middle”
Dr. Daley, along with Rhonda Garad, the Greens candidate for Bruce, expressed concern that much of the funding is going into expanding services that primarily target the mainstream youth demographic. Headspace, despite being a valuable resource, is often seen as the go-to service for all young people, but it does not cater to those with more complex or significant mental health issues. Dr. Daley argues that many young people, especially those dealing with multiple, interconnected challenges like homelessness, family disengagement, or cognitive impairments, are falling through the cracks.
“You can’t expect one big service that is primarily for mainstream youth to be able to specialise in these groups,” Dr. Daley said. “These young people have nowhere to go, and what they need are specialist outreach services that can also integrate drug and alcohol support — something that remains missing from government funding.”
Mental Health Struggles for Middle-Class Families
Garad also spoke out about the strain of finding adequate mental health care. Reflecting on her daughter’s experience with mental health struggles, Garad highlighted the financial strain placed on middle-class families, who often face long waiting lists for care. Even with a mental health care plan, the out-of-pocket costs for services, including online consultations and subsequent sessions, can be overwhelming.
“It’s one thing to fund a couple of centres in the South East, but that’s not addressing mental health in any significant way,” Garad stated, emphasizing that broader societal issues like cost of living pressures, loneliness, and employment challenges are contributing to the growing mental health crisis among youth.
The Broader Picture: Youth Disconnection and Mental Health
Garad also pointed out that youth disconnection is a growing issue. Her observations of university students revealed that many are struggling with loneliness, despite knowing one another. The heavy workload and the need to secure employment are preventing young people from forming meaningful social connections, exacerbating their mental health challenges.
“Youth are not making friends the way they used to,” Garad said. “Loneliness is a huge issue for mental health.”
Liberal Party’s Youth Mental Health Focus
The Liberal Party has also made mental health a priority in this election, pledging $400 million to address the needs of youth with mental health issues, particularly those in the “missing middle.” This includes people who don’t require hospitalization but need care for conditions like eating disorders, personality disorders, and early psychosis. The Liberal Party’s plan also includes reinstating 20 Medicare-subsidized psychology sessions per year and expanding Headspace services.
However, there seems to be a lack of detailed responses from some candidates, including Zahid Safi, the Liberal candidate for Bruce, who did not respond to inquiries about his stance on the mental health investment.
The Ongoing Debate: Balancing Expansion and Innovation
As both major political parties propose significant investments in mental health, there remains a pressing need to address the gaps in service provision for youth with complex mental health needs. The focus on expanding existing services is certainly beneficial, but experts argue that more innovative models and specialized services are required to meet the diverse and growing mental health needs of young Australians. Whether these gaps will be addressed in the coming years remains to be seen, but the conversation around mental health funding is undoubtedly critical as young people face increasing pressures in today’s socio-economic landscape.
