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  • Tue. Nov 5th, 2024

Coronavirus pandemic plan for mental health too small, suicides likely to increase, says expert

Coronavirus pandemic plan for mental health too small, suicides likely to increase, says expert

The Federal Government’s $48 million spend on a pandemic mental health plan falls well short of what’s needed to prevent a looming mental health disaster, a leading expert says.

Key points:

  • Some experts fear suicides caused by the pandemic could overshadow deaths caused by the illness itself
  • The pandemic mental health plan includes almost $30 million for outreach programs for vulnerable Australians
  • The Health Minister says state governments will also contribute funding

Former national mental health commissioner Ian Hickie fears Australia’s suicide rate will dramatically increase as a result of the pandemic and the economic fallout.

He said the Government package — which is focused on data collection, outreach services and communication — contained some good elements but did not go far enough.

“I think the amount of money is in fact, small,” said Professor Hickie, who is also a founding director of Headspac

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