$110 million additional investment in child and youth mental health
The Coalition Government is continuing to build on record levels of investment in mental health services with an additional $110 million to extend and expand mental health programs for young Australians. We know that around four million Australians experience a mental health condition every year. And people of all ages can be affected – either directly themselves or because someone close to them might be suffering. Even young children can be deeply affected.
As part of the funding, beyondblue will receive up to $46 million for its integrated school-based Mental Health in Education initiative. beyondblue will use the funding to continue providing information, advice and support to teachers and early childhood workers so that they can teach children and young people skills for good social and emotional development, work together with families, and recognise and get help for children and young people going through a difficult time or a family crisis.
Emerging Minds will receive $16 million for the National Workforce Support in Child Mental Health initiative. Funding of $2.5 million will also provide for an evaluation of the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program – which we are extending until June 2021.
The headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation will receive additional funding of $30 million for the headspace national program allowing it to provide further support to Primary Health Networks in commissioning headspace services.
Orygen will receive additional funding of $13.5 million for the operation of the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health to continue to provide national leadership for youth mental health in research, policy advice and workforce training.
The Government will provide an additional $1.8 million over two years to four existing Commonwealth funded digital mental health services that provide telephone, webchat and other online support. These services are Kids Helpline, ReachOut, Suicide Callback Service and QLife.
Make giving the gift of life your new year’s resolution
All Australians are being asked to start 2018 by giving the gift of life, by discussing their organ and tissue donation wishes with family and friends and joining the Australian Organ Donor Register.
When you’re together with family, discuss your organ and tissue donation wishes with them, then go online and join the Australian Organ Donor Register. Instant online registration takes only a minute but can make a lifetime of difference to up to 10 people. This is surely one of the most amazing gifts that anyone can give this year.
While age and medical history are considered, no one should assume they’re unsuitable to give the gift of life. Many people in their 70s and 80s have saved the lives of others through organ and tissue donation.
Registration counts, with nine in ten Australian families agreeing to allow organ donation where their loved one was a registered donor.
For instant online registration, enter “donatelife” into your web search engine which directs you straight to https://register/donatelife.gov.au
Dodgy child care providers named and shamed
The Nationals-Liberal Government has for the first time published the details of child care services that have been the subject of enforcement action, as it continues its crackdown on dodgy providers. The publication of the Child Care Enforcement Action Register will mean providers who rort the system would no longer have anywhere to hide.
While the overwhelming majority of providers are legitimate and provide high quality care, those who go down the wrong path should be held to account for their actions. Parents should be able to access the information necessary to make informed choices when deciding on a child care service and have confidence that they are entrusting the care of their children to a compliant and reputable provider.
The introduction of the register is one of a suite of compliance measures the Government has introduced to target providers who seek to deliberately rort the system or fail to provide the high standard of care expected.
The new Compliance Action Register will be updated on a quarterly basis and is available at: www.education.gov.au/child-care-enforcement-action-register.