People suffering from mental illness in the ACT can expect to benefit from a boost in funding for services and accommodation in the upcoming ACT Budget.
Minister for Mental Health, Shane Rattenbury said the Budget would provide funding to establish a number of supported accommodation facilities, allowing 24-hour care for up to 15 people with complex, severe and persistent mental illness.
“As well as expanding the number of beds available for people with the highest needs, this Budget will also deliver a significant increase in funding for services that support Canberrans to manage their mental health and recovery,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“This includes funding to complete a Step-Up–Step-Down facility on the south side of Canberra to provide short-term intensive and structured recovery care.”
He said the 10-bed Extended Care Unit at the Brian Hennessey Rehabilitation Centre would be refurbished so there was an upgraded secure facility where mental health patients could gradually transition into supported accommodation.
“These new investments will complement the mental health rehabilitation services soon to open at the University of Canberra Hospital, which include both an inpatient ward and an expanded day service for mental health consumers,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Around one-third of Canberrans will need mental health care at some stage in their lives, which means that our local services and facilities have to expand as our population grows so that people can access the right care when they need it.”
The Budget will be brought down on 5 June.
