Foreword
The Mental Health Respite Program (the Program) demonstrates the Australian Government’s recognition and support for carers who provide a valuable role and make a considerable contribution to families and communities across Australia.
The Program 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. The Program has two components - a brokerage service model to procure respite on behalf of targeted carers, and a direct funding model to increase the availability of appropriate respite services where demand exceeds supply.
In July 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) adopted the National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006-2011. The Plan is directed at achieving outcomes in four areas:
- reducing the prevalence and severity of mental illness in Australia;
- reducing the prevalence of risk factors that contribute to the onset of mental illness and prevent longer term recovery;
- increasing the proportion of people with an emerging or established mental illness who are able to access the right health care and other relevant community services at the right time, with a particular focus on early intervention; and
- increasing the ability of people with a mental illness to participate in the community, employment, education and training, including an increase in stable accommodation.
The Mental Health Respite Program is one of nineteen Australian Government measures funded in 2006 through this process. This Program represents a large investment by the Australian Government, recognising that mental illness and intellectual disability is a significant issue in our community that touches the lives of all Australians, whether they be consumers, carers, friends, family or service providers.
The Mental Health Respite Program contributes to the FaHCSIA outcome of:
seniors, people with disabilities, carers, youth and women are supported, recognised and encouraged to participate in the community.