ACT mental health services will receive an extra $4.5 million of funding as they deal with a surge in demand due to coronavirus.
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The ACT government has allocated more than $2.5 million to community mental health organisations, while almost $2 million will go to Canberra Health Services programs.
Mental Health Minister Shane Rattenbury said more people had come forward seeking help during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those accessing mental health support for the first time.
"Canberrans have had a very difficult start to 2020 with poor air quality, bushfires, a major hailstorm and now the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Rattenbury said.
"The mental health and wellbeing of a community after one disaster is always concerning, let alone in quick succession."
More than $700,000 will go towards expanding the Access Mental Health and Home Assessment Acute Response Team, while a further $700,000 will be spent on an expansion of the Police, Ambulance, Clinician Emergency Response (PACER) service to operate seven days a week.
Two safe-haven cafes will also be created as part of a new initiative to provide an alternative to the emergency department for adults experiencing loneliness or difficulties with their mental health.
"When people are experiencing a mental health crisis, we need to have services in place to get them the care they need quickly wherever they may be," Mr Rattenbury said.
The funding announcement comes as crisis line Beyond Blue reported a 40 per cent increase in calls nationally compared to the same time last year.
Research released in April revealed people reported being five times more anxious, stressed or depressed than they were before the outbreak began.
Other community organisations that will receive increased funding in the ACT include Menslink, OzHelp, the Way Back Support Service and grief counselling services.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said $100,000 had been allocated for support for Canberra's LGBT community.
"The government is also allocating an additional $100,000 for grief and loss counselling," she said.
"This investment is in recognition of the significant challenges the public health restrictions, hospitals and aged care visitation rules and bushfires have had on people and families across the Canberra region."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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