MEDIA RELEASE – Ahead of the Federal Government’s Jobs Summit (Thursday 1 – Friday 2 September) and the October 25 Federal Budget, Queensland’s peak body for community mental health services says building the sector’s workforce must be a priority.
Developing skills and jobs in the community mental health sector would alleviate pressure on GPs, psychologists and other mental health clinicians, and public hospitals according to the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH).
“Building the capacity of the community mental health sector is crucial in addressing the shortage of mental health care workers,” QAMH CEO Jennifer Black said. “A vibrant community sector, which supports people to live well in their communities and provides early intervention responses, will add value to the mental health system and take the pressure off acute services, including emergency departments.
“We know it will take decades to build a clinical workforce, but building a contemporary community workforce will be quicker and enable the expansion of a greater range of community mental health service options for all Australian communities.”
QAMH argues that a workforce strategy for community mental health services needs to invest in contemporary education and training qualifications, increase financial support to services to ensure quality, stability, and retention of staff, and elevate and strengthen the Lived Experience Workforce.
“Not all mental distress requires a medical response, so standing up a strong community mental health workforce would very quickly help alleviate the skills shortage in this crucial area,” Ms Black said.
The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health represents over 100 members and stakeholders in the Queensland Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Sector.
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Please consider how you report on mental health issues.
Consult mindframe guidelines: https://mindframe.org.au/mental-health/communicating-about-mental-ill-health/mindframe-guidelines
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Media contact:
Emma Griffiths
QAMH Director – Advocacy and Communications
Queensland Alliance for Mental Health
M: 0439 971 080
E: egriffiths@qamh.org.au
QAMH acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, learn and work and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to Elders both past, present and emerging.