Abbott’s mental health plan draws support and surprise

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDApr 25 2011

The mental health proposals by Tony Abbott may have been deemed fiscally irresponsible by the federal government but they have won backing from experts of the Australian Medical Association.

Mr. Abbott has unveiled a $430 million plan especially to help improve the employment prospects of those with mental health problems, on top of the $1.5 billion package he announced before the election.

Eminent mental health experts like Patrick McGorry and Ian Hickie spoke to Treasurer Wayne Swan in their quest for extra funds, the AMA said the Coalition's plan was a sound investment and would ease the strain on overburdened services.

The federal government however is preparing a spending program that it is likely to push over $1 billion to fulfil its election promise to make mental health a second-term priority.

John Mendoza, former chairman of the government's National Advisory Council on Mental has warned against the government pushing funding out beyond the 2013 election. This would put a credibility question over Julia Gillard saying this was a second-term priority, he said. He said, “The urgency of investment in mental health is apparent to anyone working in the sector…'The public mental health services are under enormous strain. The need is now.” Professor Mendoza added, “One of the things we've learnt from here and abroad is that for [those with] mental disabilities, getting people back into employment actually requires more of the service provision to the person in the place of employment rather than preparation before employment.” He added that Mr. Abbott’s plan is in the same lines and added, “…I'm very encouraged by that because employment is really important in terms of being able to lift oneself out of poverty - and poverty is very closely associated with mental disability.”

Mr Swan however accused Mr Abbott of writing out “'a half a billion blank cheque”. He said government's commitment to spend on mental health – “it's a very important priority for us” - but said that for Mr Abbott “to claim that he's got half a billion dollars and not tell people how he's going to fund it shows how reckless he has become”. Professor McGorry flew to Cairns to meet Mr Swan, who was also presented with a petition from GetUp! with more than 100,000 signatures calling for action. Professor Hickie participated in the talks by conference call.

Professor McGorry said, “A third of the people on disability support pensions are there because of mental ill health.” Mr Abbott said mental health was “the hidden epidemic”. “Because so many people with mental health problems don't speak up, often they don't even seek help, it tends to get ignored. Sometimes the family members of people with mental health difficulties don't realize for years just what their loved ones are going through.”

Health Minister Nicola Roxon said today that funding for the area would be set aside in the budget, but wouldn't comment on a reported figure of $2 billion. Ms Roxon refused to speculate on a figure but criticised the Coalition's package. “The cheers for the Liberal Party might soon turn to tears,” she said saying the Coalition would not be able to fund its promises.