Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the motion moved by the member for Fisher. According to the Black Dog Institute, one in five Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. Mental illness touches every Australian family, whether it be a father, an aunt, a daughter or a son. One in two people do not access any treatment. Mental illnesses are the third leading cause of disability burden in Australia, accounting for an estimated 27 per cent of total years lost from the workforce due to disability. Approximately 14 per cent of Australians will be affected by an anxiety disorder in any 12-month period. One in 50 Australians will experience some kind of eating disorder in their lifetime, with women nine times more likely than men to experience eating disorders. Around one in 20 Australians will experience substance abuse disorders in any 12-month period, with men more than twice as likely as women to have substance abuse disorders.

We know that the prevalence of mental illness decreases with age, with the prevalence greatest among 18-to-24-year-olds. The transition from high school to further education or the workforce is one of the greatest transitions a person will face, and so it comes as no surprise that young people struggle with mental health conditions and with anxiety around that move. What does come as a surprise is this government's response.

Instead of looking to strengthen mental health support services, this government has sought to cut funding. I note that the member for Fisher made reference to the government's budget commitment of $80 million to maintain psychosocial services for people with mental illness who are not eligible for the NDIS. In my discussions with mental health groups, including the Mental Health Coalition of SA, it is clear that the National Disability Insurance Scheme will only support 58,000 of the 489,000 Australians who suffer with a severe mental illness. That's just 12 per cent of those diagnosed who will be supported by the NDIS, which means $80 million has been set aside to support 88 per cent of Australians who have a severe mental illness. It is just not enough; the numbers do not add up. Some of the programs that are being defunded as the NDIS rolls out are: Partners in Recovery, which has 12,500 participants; Personal Helpers and Mentors, also known as PHaMs, with over 20,000 participants; Day to Day Living, with more than 8,000 participants; and, significantly, Mental Health Respite: Carer Support, which has over 40,000 participants. That is more than 80,000 participants—in programs that will no longer be funded.

Today I met with Catholic Social Services, who were particularly concerned about how people with mental health issues will be supported once these programs cease. They and I are deeply concerned for people living with serious mental illness who would not be supported in an NDIS package. Catholic Social Services believe those living in regional and remote Australia will feel the loss of services the most. Again, it is a concern I share, and I think every member who looks after a regional or rural electorate must share those concerns.

My electorate office is in a town called Mount Barker. It is a rapidly growing area. It has lots of young families, and so I see firsthand when services are not there. Recently Young Mayo worked to gather signatures for a petition for a headspace centre in Mount Barker. As you know, headspace provides support services for young people aged 12 to 25. The need for a headspace in Mount Barker was one of the first issues raised by Young Mayo with me, and they have gathered over 500 signatures in our community.

While yet to be allocated a full headspace centre, we were thankful to secure an outreach service from headspace Murray Bridge, which will provide support services for young people five days a week. Such is the demand for services that they've already been booked up years in advance and they're not advertising. This seems to be a deliberate strategy so they don't have longer waiting lists. Clearly, we have a great demand, and this demand is not being met. I'll continue to advocate for Young Mayo and all of the young people across the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu who need a fully supported headspace centre.

While I join the member for Fisher in encouraging the government to seek additional ways to support mental health for Australians, I do not believe the government is doing enough at the moment. This government needs to get real when it comes to mental health, and the $80 million promised is really a drop in the ocean compared to what's needed.

Funding for mental health saves lives. This is not something that should be tacked onto primary health. It is just as critical as primary health, and GPs in my region should be able to get people to a psychiatrist, when needed, as easily as they can refer someone to a knee surgeon. This is not happening at the moment. GPs are highly stressed talking to me about this. We are failing our community every day this government does not act to do more for people with mental illness.

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