This has led to a crisis in community mental health support in Victoria.
· 91% of Victorians with severe mental health needs will not be eligible for the NDIS – leaving a massive 90,000 people without any support services.
· Mental health admissions at ED’s have jumped over 19% in the past 4 years, putting an incredible strain on an already over-burdened system.
· Victoria spends less per capita on mental health support than any other state or territory – $197 per capita to the rest of Australia’s average of $227
· The cost of hospitalising someone for 9 days is approximately $10,000. The same amount of money would allow a community mental health organisation to support someone for an entire year.
It also means up to 1300 mental health workers are losing their jobs, pulling the plug on the Victorian professional workforce and de-skilling the sector for the future.
This rally follows one held recently at Minister Foley’s office, attended by more than 100 effected workers.
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