Funding announcements a relief for local mental health Organisations

TeamHEALTH is the leading provider of community mental health services in the Northern Territory, and supports more than 400 people and families dealing with mental health challenges.

The Northern Territory Government today committed an additional $3 million to support mental health services in the Territory, including a strong emphasis on suicide prevention, while the Australian Government last week announced a 12-month extension of current funding arrangements by the Department of Health – worth almost $300 million.

This follows earlier funding extensions announced by the Department of Social Services.

TeamHEALTH Chief Executive Officer Helen Egan said all these announcements are a welcome change to the uncertainty that has plagued the mental health sector recently.

“These announcements provide surety of services for the most vulnerable people in our community. We are very pleased government is prioritising the mental health agenda,” Ms Egan said.

“Organisations across Australia like TeamHEALTH have been crying out for clear guidance and confirmation from government on funding. It is pleasing that this has now been provided for 2015-2016 at least.”