Low-intensity digital mental health service promised in federal budget falls short of what's needed, psych groups say

Tuesday night's budget included measures for a new digital mental health service for people with lower-intensity needs.Funding has been provided over eight years to establish the program, with ongoing funding in the years after.

The government has been keen to stress the new platform will not be rolled out via an app and it will be delivered by humans, not artificial intelligence.Mental Health Australia, who included the digital service in their pre-budget wish list, said it will be critical for the government to work with the sector and learn from successful models already in place in Australia, such as the government-funded MindSpot.The government will spend up to 18 months to consult and co-design the platform.

"It often means people end up seeking support from programs designed for diagnosed mental illness or in some instances using medication because these are the only options," he said.Beyond Blue described the funding as a "major step" towards the structural reform that "remains long overdue". Just under $30 million was committed to rebranding the Head to Health service centres as "Medicare Mental Health centres" amid concerns people were not aware of them.psychologist or psychiatrist with no referral needed.

"We can't wait any longer – we urgently need targeted investment in the workforce, funnelled towards areas of greatest need and backed by data that psychiatrists have been calling on the government to collect," president Elizabeth Moore said.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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