Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Wendouree electorate mental health services

Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (19:10): (72) I direct my adjournment matter to the Minister for Mental Health, and the action I seek is for her to provide me with a briefing about how we are improving mental health services and supporting constituents with mental health conditions and their carers in my electorate of Wendouree. Last week marked two years since Victoria’s landmark Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System handed down the final report into Victoria’s mental health system. The final report included 74 recommendations to fully transform the mental health and wellbeing system and patient care. The royal commission’s historic report had an ambitious vision for Victoria’s mental health system, and one that I support. The royal commission’s 2021 report outlined a 10-year blueprint for Victoria’s future mental health and wellbeing services, building a system where every Victorian gets timely, tailored support they need close to home. This is particularly important for regional and rural Victorians, including those who live in my community.

Over the last four years I have met with community members who have been let down by the system, carers who feel broken after their loved ones could not access treatment and support and others who continue to fight for services for their children, their partners and their parents. I have also heard the saddest stories of what could have been done, but now it is too late. I strongly believe that Victorians suffering from mental health issues deserve safe and compassionate care that is responsive, supportive and equitable, as do their families, carers and supporters. Further, I want to ensure that the voices of those with lived and living experience are heard and embedded in the system so that we can improve their quality of care as well as others. I am proud to be a member of the Andrews Labor government that has invested $6 billion to fix our broken mental health system, and I look forward to the Minister for Mental Health’s response to this matter. This will give me the opportunity to report back to my community about the significant work that is taking place and how we are delivering better mental health services for all Victorians.