Fiona Martin (Reid, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak to the motion moved by the member for Dobell regarding the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus emergency on the mental health of Australians. As a psychologist, I understand mental health policy. I've worked on the front line. I've worked with many people across the life span in both outpatient clinics and inpatient settings. Mental health is an issue that I am particularly passionate about, and I am very proud to be part of a government that consistently makes mental health our nation's priority. The Australian people were confronted by the coronavirus pandemic when we were already vulnerable from bushfire and drought. The pandemic's isolating and anxiety-inducing effects have added to this collective stress and trauma.

The Morrison government moved swiftly to ensure that the wellbeing of all Australians was protected during the pandemic, with a focus on mental health. Since January this year, we have committed $500 million to mental health and suicide prevention, while extending a whole-of-population telehealth model of care that included mental health consultations. This has allowed mental health professionals to continue to work during the pandemic, using phone and video technology, where clinically appropriate, to ensure access and continuity of treatment. As a result, we have seen 50 per cent of mental health consultations being conducted through telehealth, with over one million telehealth mental health consultations undertaken since mid-March.

For those with chronic or pre-existing mental health conditions, the coronavirus climate meant their mental health was at greater risk. But even those without pre-existing mental health conditions were at risk too. For many, their wellbeing deteriorated because of isolation and disruption to routine, including the challenge for many working parents of working from home while juggling homeschooling. As we move through the aftermath of the financial and health crises, Australians are being encouraged to utilise their social support networks to ensure they stay socially connected and take initiative with help-seeking behaviours in order to get to the other side.

The government's digital mental health portal, Head to Health, was introduced to be a single source of information and guidance on how to maintain good mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. Simple self-care—such as eating well and exercising, maintaining good sleep hygiene behaviours, limiting access to the 24-hour news cycles and making time for recreational activities—has helped many Australians get through the strain and burn of this period.

The government should be commended for supporting the excellent work of Beyond Blue by providing $10 million of federal funding for a dedicated coronavirus wellbeing support line. This is helping people experiencing a coronavirus diagnosis or experiencing anxiety due to employment changes, financial difficulties, family pressures or other challenges. A further $14 million of federal funding has bolstered the capacity of mental health providers such as Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline, and the Black Dog Institute is now providing digital access to mental health support for our frontline health workers. Many of our health workers have worked heroically throughout this period but have also had to push themselves to their limits, and it is our priority that they have the resources they need to take care of their mental health in what has been an incredibly stressful and, at times, traumatising public health crisis.

I also want to commend the Morrison government on its choice to appoint the country's first deputy chief medical officer for mental health, and I congratulate Dr Ruth Vine on this new role. I welcome the Productivity Commission's report on mental health, which is due to be handed down in the coming weeks, and I am confident that the Morrison government will continue to put evidence based mental health policy as a priority, particularly as we move out of the coronavirus pandemic on our road to recovery.

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