Tasmanian Election 2021

A mental health education program and mental health literacy campaign, focused on prevention and early intervention, to build individual and community capacity to manage and improve mental health and wellbeing. 

Speak Up! Stay ChatTY is guaranteed funding with $1.35 million 

The Mersey will become the state-wide training hub for Rural Generalist Doctors with specialist skills including Mental Health. 

 $10 million to the Healthy Tasmania 5-year strategic plan with a priority towards improving mental health and wellbeing. 

$3.82 million to provide free access to speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers in every child and family learning centre.   

$2 million to roll out professional development training to every teacher and teacher aide in Government schools to support the learning of young people impacted by mental health issues and trauma. 

$750,000 to extend Stay ChatTY schools program in Government schools.

A strong mental health system is community led, place based and leverages the existing connections within communities.  

It builds on and supports Tasmanian’s local experience and expertise, leaders, local government and volunteers, businesses, clubs and community groups. 

Resource RSL Tas with a building to establish a Health and Wellbeing Centre for Veterans in Huonville.

Leverage MHCT’s Checkin campaign to build capacity of communities to look after their mental wellbeing. 

$8.5 million over two years for Mental Health Hospital in the Home pilot in the North West. 

Support the development of a framework to introduce Therapeutic Farming as a hospital avoidance initiative. 

$10 million to the Healthy Tasmania 5-year strategic plan with a priority towards improving mental health and wellbeing. 

$300,000 to recruit a locally based mental health specialist in the Circular Head region.

Fund an extra 50 allied health professionals and social workers in areas of critical need in community health centres across Tasmania.  

A centralised phone service that provides advice and information to support the mental wellbeing of Tasmanians along with a central, seamless assessment and referral process. 

As this issue cannot be solved by increased service funding alone MHCT recommends: 

Developing and resourcing an overarching cross-sectoral mental health workforce strategy and implementing the Peer Workforce Development Strategy and expand it to include a Youth Peer Worker Model. 

30 new mental health social workers in Community Health Centres.  

More than $197 million will be invested to upgrade 17 rural hospitals as well as providing 24/7 care at 30 Community Health Centres around Tasmania.   

The Mersey will become the state-wide training hub for Rural Generalist Doctors with specialist skills including Mental Health.   

Stage 3 of existing RHH Masterplan to include a state-of-the-art mental health facility at the former Repatriation Hospital site. 

Fund a new $67.5 million mental health facility at the North West Regional hospital .

New permanent lived experience positions.  

$500,000 to commence the roll-out of Rethink 2020.

 $5 million to expand the health hub at TasTAFE’s Alanvale site, with a new facility to deliver alcohol and drugs, youth and mental health training. 

41.2 million to fully fund a fundamental shift in the delivery of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. 

$6 million to provide individual trauma support for an additional 100 Government schools every year.  

$5.1 million over two years to pilot an Emergency Mental Health Co-Response team in Southern Tasmania. 

A new purpose built mental health precinct as part of the announced $580 million Launceston General Hospital redevelopment. 

$40 million for stage one of a new mental health precinct adjacent to the North West Regional Hospital. Along with commitment to stage 2 which intends to include the co-location of community services to provide integrated care. 

$2 million to The Hobart Clinic towards its $19 million redevelopment at its Rokeby site. 

Convene a new health staff recruitment task force to find ways to improve recruitment across the health system. (in first 100 days) 

10 Psychiatrist Emergency Nurses, and establish a comprehensive, statewide strategy for recruitment and training.