Extra Funding to Provide Day-to-Day Support for Mental Illness
19 December 2011 at 3:05 pm
More than 3,500 Australians living with severe and persistent mental illness will receive day-to-day support, with the government announcing an extra $19.3 million funding over 5 years for community organisations to support people with mental illness.
The government says the funding to deliver the Support for Day to Day Living in the Community (D2DL) program will allow people with mental illness to stay connected to their community through arts and crafts workshops, cooking lessons, shopping trips and other social outings.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, and Social Inclusion, Mark Butler said, Australians with severe mental illness can face significant challenges reconnecting to their community and are often socially isolated.
“Meaningful activity and social connection are critical to people’s recovery from mental illness and Day to Day Living is proven to work, already helping thousands of people to begin their recovery journey,” Butler said.
“The extra funding will provide more people with severe mental illness with a friendly environment to help them face the challenge of reengaging in social activities and developing other important life skills, such as cooking, and build their confidence.”
The D2DL program currently provides structured personal and social support to around 11,000 Australians living with a mental illness.
“The $19.3 million boost rolls out from January 2012, and existing Day to Day Living program providers will receive a 30 per cent boost to their funding,” Mr Butler said.
“With the $19.3 million additional funding, this means in total around $70 million over the next five years will be provided for the program.”
The extra funding sounds great, but there’s perhaps reason for some scepticism. I wonder how truly involved the target group has and will be in the design and delivery of the services, rather than in a lip-service way. Success will also be contingent on less tangible issues, such as the attitudes and expertise of those managing the support. I know of at least one (large, not-for-profit) organisation where a frontline support person with coordinator status has no official credentials in mental health. Finally, it seems to me that people who are mentally ill need, more than anything as a first priority, TIMELY expert intervention (in a practical, sensitive, meaningful way) during acute episodes, particularly beyond working hours. My experiences of trying to access that kind of support for a friend in crisis, particularly in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way, indicate that this kind of support is sadly lacking, as is timely, practical advice for significant others trying to seek help, or do something themselves to help, during the period of crisis. Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback.