The ACT Greens have pledged to establish four mental health Safe Haven hubs (walk-in centres) in the town centres of Tuggeranong, Molonglo, Dickson, and Gungahlin. This initiative aims to ensure that every Canberran has access to free mental health care in their neighborhood.
Emma Davidson MLA, the current Minister for Mental Health and the ACT Greens mental health spokesperson, emphasized the importance of accessible mental health care: “Everyone should have access to affordable mental health care, when they need it – not just when they are in crisis. We are living in a cost-of-living and climate crisis, leading to higher levels of distress and more pressure on our mental health system. Mental healthcare is expensive, and wait times can be lengthy. Too many people only access free care once they are in a crisis.”
Davidson highlighted the Greens’ commitment to providing comprehensive mental health support: “The ACT Greens want to ensure every Canberran has access to free mental health care and support when they need it most. We will deliver more support across the full spectrum of need, focusing on early intervention and prevention by expanding the mental health walk-in centre network (Safe Havens) so there’s one in each town centre, providing care closer to your home and before you reach crisis point.”
Laura Nuttall, ACT Greens MLA for Brindabella, shared her personal experience with mental health challenges and underscored the potential impact of the Safe Haven hubs: “I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in my late teens and struggled to get the support I needed. I had to wait months to see someone, and during that time, my mental health declined further. Had there been a mental health walk-in centre nearby, it might have pulled me out of the hole that I was in while I waited for more dedicated support. In a cost-of-living crisis, where you’re struggling to pay rent and feed yourself, you’re not going to be in a position to pay the hundreds of dollars it costs to see a psychologist.”
Nuttall emphasized the Greens’ commitment to ensuring that all Canberrans can live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives by having the support they need when they need it.
Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens and the ACT’s first stand-alone Minister for Mental Health, discussed the ongoing efforts to improve mental health support in Canberra: “The ACT Greens understand the challenges facing so many Canberrans and have long advocated for better mental health support in our city. We have been working hard to deliver life-changing services for Canberrans.”
In May, the Greens announced support for GPs to provide free, long appointments for Canberrans with chronic mental health conditions. Davidson noted, “Having a doctor who understands your condition means better care and someone you trust throughout your journey.”
The Greens’ plans for more free mental health services include:
Expanding PACER: Building a safe place for people needing temporary support outside of home, avoiding unnecessary hospital visits.
Distress Brief Intervention Trial: Providing social services support to address issues causing mental distress.
More Eating Disorder Services: Addressing care gaps with programs and inpatient units for varying levels of need.
Permanently Funding Youth Mental Health Services: Supporting programs like WOKE and Stepping Stones.
Youth-Specific Drop-In Safe Space: For those near or at crisis point.
New Perinatal Mental Health Centres: Including residential and drop-in services for distressed, isolated, or lonely parents.
Perinatal Mental Health Inpatient Unit: Allowing parent and baby to stay together safely for acute treatment.
Rattenbury highlighted the importance of a robust support network: “Through the introduction of PACER, Safe Haven, and the expansion of Step-Up-Step Down centres, we are creating a network of support for Canberrans before they reach crisis and need to go to hospital. This means more people getting support earlier in their mental health journey and, for those who really need it, the reassurance that they can get hospital care without having to wait.”
Davidson concluded with a call to action: “We’ve made great progress on mental health services, but we could go so much further with more Greens in Government. All this is possible if you vote for it.”
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