Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to rise in support of the member for Fisher's motion and to recognise the contribution so far of other speakers who have also spoken about this very important issue. The statistics outlined in the motion are truly worrying and are worth repeating—that one in five Australians report having a mental or behavioural condition, especially those aged 18 to 24, and that it is also believed that over half of all people with a mental illness don't actually access treatment. With these figures it's important that the government continue to act to support the mental health of Australians. We can do this, of course, through funding, including the $170 million in mental health programs in the 2017 budget and the additional $367.5 million since the election. Overall this year the government has invested more than $4 billion in mental health services and driving reforms to support the mental health of every Australian no matter who they are, where they live or the nature or stage of their illness. I do commend these initiatives, but I also want to place on record how mental health can often be about more than headline funding figures.

Mental illness is often complex, personal and unpredictable. For young people in particular it can be hard to know when and who to turn to. We are fortunate to have services such as Lifeline offer anyone experiencing a personal crisis access to 24-hour support and suicide prevention services. I urge anyone listening who may need to reach out to call them on 131114. I also urge young people, particularly those on the Central Coast, to consider walking into a headspace centre if they feel they do need some help. A key focus of this government's reforms on mental health is to put the needs of individuals at the centre of our mental health system with localised services. That's why I'm pleased that we are expanding headspace, the youth walk-in centres, taking the total number of headspace centres to 110 by 2019.

Partnering with headspace we're committed to reducing suicide rates through regional trials, research and flexible models that work in our local communities. One of these trials is happening right now at headspace in Gosford. Around 12 months ago we launched the individual placement and support trial, known as IPS, which is a new initiative aimed at better supporting young people with a mental illness to find and to keep a job. Recent trials have found that people with mental illness are three times more likely to secure a job when supported by the IPS approach. I've already been told that there are some great results. While it took some time for sites to recruit the right vocational specialists to deliver the employment support, I'm advised that by July this year there were over 360 trial participants across Australia, including many in Gosford, and these numbers are growing significantly.

I'd like to end with a few remarks about the importance of supporting our veteran community. Next week, from 21 to 29 October, is Veterans' Health Week, and the theme will be physical activity. This week is an opportunity for veterans, war widows, widowers and current and ex-Australian Defence Force members and their families to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of themselves and their friends. I met with many of our veterans representatives on the Central Coast recently, and I'm pleased to see that there are many local events taking place, many of which have been registered through the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The week kicks off with a barbecue on Kincumba Mountain on the 21st, starting at 10 am, organised by the National Servicemen's Association working closely with the Vietnam Veterans, Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association on the Central Coast. It's open to everyone. There are plans for walks in the surrounding bushland and group activities like yoga, social cricket and badminton. Activities will be organised for all levels of ability. The Terrigal-Wamberal RSL sub-branch is organising a veterans bike ride on Thursday, 26 October at Long Jetty, cycling up to Chittaway Bay. The sub-branch is then heading to the gym at the Crowne Plaza at Terrigal on 25 October for a guided tour of the fitness facilities, followed by a light lunch. Woy Woy RSL Krait Day Club plan to take a walking tour of the many pathways along Barangaroo.

It's great to see that, on both a national and a local level and for youth and our older veterans, the Central Coast is acting to support people with a mental illness. As somebody who suffered greatly as a result of very severe and sustained bullying in my early 20s as a result of a workplace situation, I know the importance of reaching out early and I know how difficult it can be to do so. I commend the services that are available to young people, in particular, these days, and I commend this motion to the House.

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