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Mental health services at crisis pointThe Member for Eastern Victoria, Philip Davis, is preparing a case to the State Government seeking a reallocation of funding to overcome a continuing chronic shortage of mental health services in Gippsland. By Kevin Balshaw - 12th May 2009 - Back to News The Member for Eastern Victoria, Philip Davis, is preparing a case to the State Government seeking a reallocation of funding to overcome a continuing chronic shortage of mental health services in Gippsland.
The state budget last week provided some extra funds for mental health, but Mr Davis says not one dollar of the increase will be spent east of Dandenong.
This, he says, leaves Gippsland short of acute care beds in hospitals to treat emergency cases, short of triage services, and short of community based care and public accommodation for people with mental illness.
Gippsland’s mental health advocacy service, Barrier Breakers, is receiving an increasing number of calls of desperation for people refused hospital care despite needing urgent treatment—people who in the main are on the verge of a suicide attempt.
The organisation has also documented a severe shortage of community based care and the most meagre provision of accommodation for people with mental illness in Gippsland.
Yet Mr Davis said even Barrier Breakers, a volunteer organisation previously provided with basic operational funding, is out of cash and no longer able to pay a part-time employee to run its office and take calls. The former employee is now working without pay in the hope some funding will be found soon to maintain the service.
Mr Davis is also seeking clarification of an array of conflicting and confusing figures on mental health funding in the state budget papers and from statements by Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville.
"The budget and Ms Neville have referred to $84 million being provided over the next four years for new mental health measures, including early intervention and coordinated health and social care," he said.
"Treasurer John Lenders was even more expansive in the budget speech to Parliament, with an undertaking to invest $182 million in mental health services, although he did not specify over what period.
"From the experience of people in the mental health field, the Government’s summary of key budget measures may be closer to the truth where it refers to the spending of $24 million over four years for new mental health services.
"This last figure represents a token $6 million a year spread across a population of more than five million when the historical evidence shows us that one in five Victorians will experience mental illness at some point in their lives."
Mr Davis said his discussions with Barrier Breakers’ Chief Executive, Derek Amos, and calls to his electorate office from community workers indicated people suffering severe mental illness, particularly those with associated drug or alcohol problems, were as likely to end up in a police cell as to receive the acute care they so desperately needed.
He said the shortfall in services to treat mental illness in country areas of the state was worse than in Melbourne, and Gippsland was worse off than other areas of country Victoria.
Mr Davis said Government policy and funding had also been misdirected—towards mental illness rather than mental health.
"Studies by non-government organisations such as the Mental Health Foundation of Australia have highlighted the importance of preventative programs incorporating awareness and resilience building for young people," he said.
"People in their mid-teens to early 20s are at the highest risk of any age group of falling prey to mental illness, but it is leaving it too late to wait until it happens. It is important for children from their earliest days at primary school to be made aware of the pitfalls and trained in the life skills that will help them to cope."
• To obtain information on Barrier Breakers or assist in its work, visit www.barrierbreakers.org.au or phone 5174 4588.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: kevin.balshaw@parliament.vic.gov.au
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Melina Bath criticises Allan government after AusRAP reveals most eastern Victoria roads rated one or two stars, highlighting neglect, poor maintenance, and increased risk of serious injury or fatalities. - Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland South women to participate in free BreastScreen Victoria program for early breast cancer detection
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges women aged 50-74 to use free BreastScreen Victoria services, improving early detection, reversing post-pandemic screening declines, and saving lives. - Darren Chester secures full entitlements and support for Yarram sawmill workers after sudden job losses
Federal MP Darren Chester confirms AKD Yarram Sawmill workers will receive full entitlements, financial, mental health support, and relocation opportunities following sudden closure, easing impact on 73 employees and their families. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents. - South Gippsland Shire Council congratulates Mayor Nathan Hersey on his reappointment as One Gippsland Chair
South Gippsland Shire Council congratulates Mayor Nathan Hersey on reappointment as One Gippsland Chair, recognising his leadership, commitment to regional collaboration, and ongoing advocacy for economy, social, and infrastructure priorities. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists. - Melina Bath praises Gippsland seafood excellence at Victorian Industry Awards, highlighting quality and sustainability
Melina Bath praised Gippsland seafood businesses in state parliament, highlighting quality, sustainability, local jobs, and regional economic contribution at the 2026 Victorian Industry Seafood Awards. - Melina Bath praises Gippsland seafood excellence at Victorian Industry Awards, highlighting quality and sustainability
Melina Bath praised Gippsland seafood businesses in state parliament, highlighting quality, sustainability, local jobs, and regional economic contribution at the 2026 Victorian Industry Seafood Awards. - Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures. - Committee for Gippsland hosts investment briefing with Victoria’s Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul
The Committee for Gippsland hosted Victoria’s Investment Coordinator-General Donna Findlay in Warragul, discussing minerals, data centres, and strategies to attract private investment and boost regional economic growth. - Tim Bull calls on the state government to prioritise commercial fishers in fuel supply efforts amid ongoing shortages
Tim Bull urges State Government to prioritise fuel access for commercial fishers, highlighting their economic and food production role, while seeking federal excise relief amid rising costs and industry pressures. - Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending. - Farmers demand urgent government action as pest animals surge across East Gippsland and Victoria
Farmers in East Gippsland and eastern Victoria face rising pest animal impacts, with ASAC urging coordinated government action, long-term funding and improved control measures to protect agriculture, livelihoods and communities. - Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project. - Melina Bath demands Allan government release clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment stages
Melina Bath demands the Allan government release a clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital Stages 2 and 3, warning delays leave healthcare workers overburdened and residents facing escalating patient demand. - East Gippsland Council and farmers welcome the $2.75M boost for feral pig control under the Victorian government's Protecting Biodiversity program
East Gippsland Shire Council and farmers welcome $2.75 million for feral pig control, focusing on public land, local employment, and coordinated efforts to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and regional communities. - Gippsland showcases energy transition leadership to Australian Energy Infrastructure commissioner
Gippsland showcased its clean energy transition during Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Tony Mahar's three-day visit, highlighting coal, gas, wind, solar, storage, and community collaboration driving Victoria's evolving energy future. - Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve. - Latrobe City Council's Councillor Sharon Gibson joins Regional Cities Victoria mayors to shape 2026 regional agenda
Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson joins Regional Cities Victoria mayors to shape 2026 agenda, advocating sustainable growth, investment, and workforce opportunities for regional Victoria’s cities and surrounding communities. - Danny O'Brien seeks explanation for South Gippsland entering fire danger period earlier than neighbouring regions
Danny O'Brien has urged the Emergency Services Minister to explain why South Gippsland entered the Fire Danger Period early, leaving farmers concerned about limited time for essential burn-offs and cleanup. - Allan Labor government invests $860,000 to support and strengthen Men's Sheds across Victoria
The Allan Labor government is investing $860,000 to support 31 men's sheds across Victoria, funding upgrades, expansions, and new equipment to strengthen communities and foster connection through shared skills. - Pip Courtney brings National Agricultural insights to Orbost Show’s Far East Victoria Landcare Expo
ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney was keynote at the Orbost Show Landcare Expo, sharing agricultural insights, promoting sustainable farming, soil health, and collaboration between producers, Landcare groups, and regional communities. - Committee for Gippsland welcomed Hon David Davis MP to meet local stakeholders and business leaders
Danny O’Brien met residents across nine Gippsland South towns, discussing cost-of-living pressures, infrastructure, farming challenges, and local priorities, committing to ongoing advocacy and future mobile office visits. - Danny O’Brien said the state’s fuel price app is ineffective, though price transparency tools like Servo Saver can help strained household budgets
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges state and federal governments to secure regional fuel supply, warning rising costs, panic-buying, and supply restrictions threaten farmers, transport, essential services, and local households. - Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - Wednesday 22 October 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council adopted the Council, Financial, Asset, Infrastructure, and Health Plans, approved key contracts and policies, refused a Poowong East development, and addressed community grants, leases, and road management. - Shop Local in South Gippsland to strengthen community, support jobs, and keeping our economy thriving together everyday
Shopping locally in South Gippsland strengthens our economy, supports jobs, services, and community groups. Every dollar spent locally multiplies impact, with increased spending boosting growth by millions annually. Shop Local South Gippsland. - Martin Cameron calls on Allan Labor government to increase Gippsland line train capacity during free travel April promotion
Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor government to increase Gippsland line train carriages, warning free travel and school holidays will overwhelm current V/Line services, creating unsafe, overcrowded conditions. - Danny O’Brien urges Labor government to disclose Gippsland South public housing vacancies amid growing local housing crisis
Danny O’Brien has urged the Allan Labor government to disclose how many public housing homes in Gippsland South are vacant, highlighting community frustration and the urgent need for transparency. - Latrobe City Council renews YMCA contract to continue leading programs at GRAC facility
Latrobe City Council renews YMCA Victoria’s contract to operate GRAC, ensuring continued community access, health programs, local employment, and social benefits, with 400,000 visits expected in 2026. - Baw Baw Shire Council hosts free ‘Look Over the Farm Gate - Help a Mate!’ barbecues supporting farmers’ wellbeing
Baw Baw Shire free ‘Look Over the Farm Gate - Help a Mate!’ barbecues support farmers’ wellbeing, offering connection, meals, and access to mental health, financial, and drought assistance resources.
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