2023 Federal Budget- a missed opportunity for long-term sustainable support for people with severe and complex mental illness.
16 May 2023
Media Release
The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) is disappointed that long-term and sustainable reforms
for people with severe and complex mental illness have been delayed once again.
We welcome measures to boost income support and relieve cost-of-living pressures. Additional support
for the mental health of First Nations peoples and culturally and linguistically diverse communities is also
welcomed.
Whilst the investment of $586.9 million in mental health and suicide prevention is welcome, the Federal
Budget fails to provide a long-term response to support people with severe and complex mental illness,
some of our most vulnerable Australians.
Over 150,000 people with severe and complex mental illness still do not have support in the community
to enable them to live well and independently (known as psychosocial support).
“After closing psychiatric institutions in the 1980s, we are still waiting for governments to provide
additional funding that can support people with severe and complex mental illness forty years on,” said
MIFA’s National Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tony Stevenson.
“This unfinished business of the closure of psychiatric institutions has condemned thousands of people
to social isolation, risk of homelessness, poor mental and physical health, and reduced life expectancy.
“We are very disappointed that the Federal Budget fails to invest any new funding in community-based
psychosocial support services for people with severe and complex mental illness.”
Investing in psychosocial supports for Australians with severe and complex mental illness is critical to
supporting mental health and wellbeing. MIFA is advocating for the development and delivery of a
national program of psychosocial supports to ensure people can access the supports they need, when
they need them, in their local community.
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
Media Contacts: Tony Stevenson, National CEO, Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia
Mobile Phone: 0400 555 433