Mental health expertise crucial to meet the mental health needs of Australians now and into the future
Thursday 18 April 2019
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) launched its election campaign today calling on all parties and candidates to commit to seven key issues to meet the predicted mental health needs of Australians now and into the future.
ACMHN CEO Kim Ryan said, “the current mental health system lacks vision and long-term strategy which have resulted to a national investment of approximately $9 billion per year, yet still struggling to provide better access and quality outcomes.”
The ACMHN is asking all parties and candidates to commit to the following seven key issues to:
The ACMHN has an inherent responsibility and sense of urgency to ensure that the mental health nursing workforce becomes more responsive to the needs of the community and that it is sustainable, and that the broader nursing and midwifery workforce are supported to develop mental health knowledge and clinical skills.
The College wants to see a mental health and health system which provides all people with quality care but it is not achievable without a properly supported nurse workforce.
All political parties and candidates need to act urgently in the public interest to address Australia’s long-term piecemeal approach to mental health.
For all media enquiries please contact communications@acmhn.org.