Mental Health
FaHCSIA will deliver three significant mental health measures to increase the level of social support and community based care. These services will be provided to people with a mental illness or intellectual disability and their families and carers.
About the measures
FaHCSIA will provide funding over five years primarily to the non-government sector to deliver:Respite Care
The Mental Health Respite Program (MHRP) will provide a range of flexible respite options for carers of people with severe mental illness/psychiatric disability and carers of people with intellectual disability.
There are two components to the Program:
- Part A - a brokerage service model provided across Australia in all Home and Community Care (HACC) regions using the existing network of Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (Centres). This component of the Program was implemented in April 2007 using a brokerage model enabling carers, the care recipient and their families to have the maximum choice and flexibility tailored to their specific respite needs.
- Mental Health Respite Program - Brokerage Component Guidelines for Centres
- Part B - a direct funding model using the National Respite Development Fund (NRDF) to increase the availability (supply) of appropriate respite services through the MHRP where limited service supply needs to be addressed.
- Mental Health Respite Program - National Respite Development Fund - Guidelines for Service Providers - PDF [271kb] | ZIP RTF [300kb]
Service providers to deliver round one, stage one, of the Mental Health National Respite Development Fund, in a number of Home and Community Care (HACC) regions across Australia, were announced on 8 October 2007.
Service providers to deliver round one, stage two, of the Mental Health National Respite Development Fund, in a number of Home and Community Care (HACC) regions across Australia, were announced on 21 April 2008.
Personal Helpers and Mentors Program
The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program provides increased opportunities for recovery for people who have a severe functional limitation resulting from a severe mental illness by helping them to overcome social isolation and increase their connections to their community.
The Program takes a strengths-based, recovery approach to supporting people with mental illness, where the focus is on a person's strengths rather than their deficits with recognition that a person can live a satisfying and contributing life within the limitations caused by their illness. Recovery does not mean cure.
The Program assists people aged 16 years and over whose ability to manage their daily activities and to live independently in the community is impacted because of a severe functional limitation resulting from a severe mental illness.
Information for organisations on Personal Helpers and Mentors Funding Rounds
Round 1 Selection Process - Service providers to deliver the Personal Helpers and Mentors Program in 28 Demonstration Sites across Australia were announced on 5 April 2007.
Round 2 Selection Process - Service providers to deliver the Personal Helpers and Mentors Program in 48 Round 2 Sites across Australia were announced on 13 September 2007.
Round 3 Selection Process
Mental Health Community Based Program
The Mental Health Community Based Program aims to support families, carers, children and young people (16-24 years) affected by mental illness through a diverse range of community programs. The program seeks to build on family strengths and improve resilience and family functioning, particularly for Indigenous families and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Phase 1 of the Mental Health Community Based Program has funded:
- Family Mental Health Support Services
- Carers Workshops in all states and territories
More information: Phase 1 service providers
Phase 2 the Mental Health Community Based Program has funded:
- 38 local community projects that contribute to prevention and early intervention for target groups in the community context.
More information: Phase 2 service providers
Mental Health Community Based Program - Guidelines for Service Providers
These measures will complement existing clinical mental health services and other initiatives that form part of the mental health package announced by the Australian Government in April 2006.
Funding Round Feedback
The Mental Health Branch has developed a paper titled 'Feedback on the Mental Health Selection Process' to assist organisations with future applications for funding. The paper is based upon an analysis of recent Mental Health Branch funding rounds.Progress Updates
- FaHCSIA Mental Health Update Issue 5
- FaCSIA Mental Health Update Issue 4 - PDF [77kb] | ZIP RTF [578kb]
- FaCSIA Mental Health Update Issue 3 - PDF [29kb] | RTF [498kb]
- FaCSIA Mental Health Update Issue 2 - PDF [51kb] | RTF [494kb]
- FaCSIA Mental Health Update - PDF [28kb] | RTF [494kb]
National Consultations
In September 2007, FaCSIA undertook extensive public consultations in all capital cities and some regional locations to inform the design, development and implementation of the mental health measures. The consultation sessions were well attended with over 1,000 people participating from government, non-government and community organisations, service providers, mental health peaks and consumers. Attached is a summary of the outcomes of the consultations.- Report on the National Consultations - PDF [87kb] | RTF [38kb]
Frequently asked questions
- Mental Health Issues
- Commonwealth Mental Health Reforms
- The Mental Health Community Based Program
- Personal Helpers and Mentors Program
- Respite Care
Related information
Further information regarding the Australian Government's mental health package is available at:- Health and Ageing
- Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Council of Australian Governments
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Website