Malcolm Turnbull announces major changes to Australia’s mental health system

The federal government on Thursday released a major shake-up to the existing mental health services. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also laid emphasis on the implications of mental health on Australia’s economy.

"We are setting out a blueprint for reform that puts the individual at the centre of our mental health system," Turnbull said in a statement as quoted by the ABC.

The change in the system has come after the current provision of 10 subsidised psychology sessions a year for mental health patients has been criticised. The new system will focus on individual needs rather than continuing with the one-size-fits-all approach.

"What we don't have in this one size fits all program-driven approach is an understanding of an individual's mental health needs and that's what I really want to see come through in these reforms," said Health Minister Sussan Ley. The health minister added that the approach towards every individual requiring mental health treatment needs to be different and that is exactly what the new package focuses on.

The prime minister said on Thursday that mental health affects productivity and thus the federal government will now be committed to spend the $10 billion annually more effectively. There are no plans to stretch the budget beyond $10 billion.

“The impact of depression and other mental illnesses on our productivity, I think all of us know this if not from personal experience from friends and family is enormous,” Turnbull said. "Mental illness gnaws away at participation, it gnaws away at productivity."

The new changes will include care packages meant for individuals with more complex needs, creation of a digital gateway to online mental health services and the launch of a hotline number to help people find appropriate services.

National Mental Health Commission Chairman Allan Fels referred to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development research said that mental health illness costs 4 percent to the GDP and the economic gains from the reforms would actually make all other gains seem insignificant before it.

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