The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, interim report was tabled in the Victorian Parliament today. This is the first of two major reports to be delivered. The Chair of the Commission, Penny Armytage has said the interim report is not a draft but was written to draw attention to issues the commission feels needs immediate action.

The interim report has been written before the commission reached their halfway point because of the dire need to address certain issues including funding within the system immediately.

Ms Armytage has been quoted by the ABC as saying:

"We think that it is the time for us to address what is a chronic issue where people have suffered in silence for way too long."

The interim report contains a list of priority actions which the commission says will pave the way for a better and forward thinking mental health system. Even though the commission received over 10,000 submissions and heard public evidence from 96 people, the two reports will not give findings on past experiences of the Victorian mental health system but will instead report on how the system can be re-imagined into a fully funded and comprehensive system that works for all Victorians.

Reaction from the Victorian Premier, Dan Andrews has been positive. He has committed his government to implementing all of the commission’s recommendations. The Premier said the Government will spend the summer looking at ways to address the most controversial recommendation of a levy or tax to help increase the overall funding to the system.

What are the recommendations?

• A new approach to mental health investment (a tax or levy), to ensure a substantial increase in funding for mental health – not just now but into the future.

• The creation of a Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing to bring together different skills and expertise to drive better mental health outcomes for all Victorians.

• An additional 170 youth and adult acute mental health beds to help address critical pressures in areas of need.

• Expansion of the Hospital Outreach Post-suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program into all area mental health services and linked to sub-regional health services as well as a new assertive outreach and follow up care service for children and young people, to increase the availability of support and outreach for Victorians at risk of suicide.

• The creation of an Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Centre and expansion of Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing teams across the state.

• Establishing Victoria’s first residential mental health service, as an alternative to an acute admission, designed and delivered by people with lived experience of mental illness.

• Expanding and supporting consumer and family-carer lived experience workforces.

• Addressing workforce shortages and preparing for reform including through the provision of more training and recruitment pathways to boost the number of graduate nurses and allied health professionals in public mental health services.

• Establishing a Mental Health Implementation Office to start work delivering these recommendations.

Can I read the report? Yes, follow the below link:

Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Interim Report

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14

• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

• Headspace on 1800 650 890

• ReachOut at au.reachout.com

Karista has a range of psychological services available. Please be in touch via the Karista website www.karista.com.au if you or a loved one need assistance with getting access to a mental health worker.

Sources: Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, The Age, ABC