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Budget: Investments in mental health and aged care welcome

Budget: Investments in mental health and aged care welcome

Investments in mental health and particularly the mental health of people living in residential aged care facilities announced in the Budget are welcomed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

The Government announced $83 million for new psychological and mental health services to address mental health issues experienced by people living in residential aged care facilities.

“The APS has long advocated for this investment,” says Professor Littlefield.  “Aged care residents have not had adequate access to mental health care, and been left unsupported when dealing with conditions like depression and dementia.”

“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure residents have ready access to psychologists, as they would if they were living in the community,” she says.  “Psychological care will make an enormous difference to their wellbeing and quality of life.”

Additionally, significant investment in mental health with a further $338 million allocated is also good news for the millions of affected Australians.

This funding addresses some of the most critical mental health issues affecting Australians, particularly suicide, as well as making care accessible through expanded digital mental health programs.

APS President Anthony Cichello says, "We congratulate the Government on its strong investments in mental health and look forward to working with them to help deliver psychological care as part of a number of these programs.”

The APS 2018 -19 Pre-Budget Submission

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Notes to the Editor:

Mental health in residential aged care

  • More than half (52%) of aged care residents have symptoms of depression, compared with 10-15% of older people living in the community.
  • Aged care residents are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than their house-bound peers living in the community.
  • People in residential aged care cannot access psychological services through Medicare.
  • The majority of Residential Aged Care Facilities do not fund psychological services for residents.

Background:

For more information, or to arrange an interview call the APS Media team on 03 8662 3358 / 0435 896 444, or email. Find the APS Media team on Twitter: @AustPsych


The APS is the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 27,000 members. The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives, through improving psychological knowledge and community wellbeing.