How the mental health and suicide prevention sector responded to the Federal Budget 2021

The Federal Government on Tuesday announced a $2.3 billion investment into mental health and suicide prevention in the 2021/22 budget.

The Federal Government has described the package as its first step in responding to the Productivity Commissions’ report and the Final Advice from the National Suicide Prevention Adviser.

Organisations working in mental health and suicide prevention welcomed the commitment to issues in urgent need of national attention while cautioning that the funding must be followed up with continued support and investment in future years.

Statements from the mental health and suicide prevention sector are featured below.

• Suicide Prevention Australia welcomed the $12.8 million commitment to establish a National Suicide Prevention Office
• National Mental Health Commission says the budget lays the foundation for a truly integrated national system
• Australian Council of Social Services says the Federal Budget lifts essential services but leaves too many people stranded
• Batyr welcomes the increased funding for mental health and is hopeful the investments turn into strides towards true system reform
• Beyond Blue welcomes the Federal Governments commitment to mental health and suicide prevention reform in this budget
• Black Dog Institute welcomes the $2.3 billion investment for mental health support as a step in the right direction towards reform
• Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health Budget 2021 response
• Everymind says the investment into suicide prevention and early intervention is a welcomed step towards a more comprehensive approach
• headspace welcomes Federal Government funding to safeguard the wellbeing of young Australians and support their mental health
• LGBTIQ+ Health Australia express a mixed bag for LGBTIQ+ communities in the Federal Budget announcement
• Lifeline welcomes the $16.6 million investment for the first nationally accessible 24/7 helpline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people delivered in partnership with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia.
• LivingWorks Australia welcomes the Budget 2021 investment on behalf of training workplaces and suicide first aid communities
• Mental Health Australia welcomes the 2021 Federal Budget, big issues require big commitments and even bigger dollars
• Orygen says the Government has listened to expert advice and acted to genuinely strengthen clinical services to improve access to quality of care
• OzHelp praises the budget for its strength in prevention and early intervention across specific high-risk groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, veterans, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• PANDA welcomes the Government’s commitment to the mental health of new and expecting parents, announced in Budget 2021-22
• ReachOut welcomes the Government’s new focus on modern, digital service provision that will help young Australians to be well and stay well
• Wellways welcomes the funding allocated to increasing the availability of mental health support and preventing suicide in our communities

This page will be updated with further statements as they become publicly available.