Victoria deserves a better mental health service

When this occurs, you or your loved one will need access to quality treatment and follow-up care, regardless where you live. Importantly, you will require well–trained and experienced staff to assist throughout all phases of your recovery.  

But this standard of care is becoming increasingly harder to find. The reality is the demand for mental health services in Victoria is rising at more than double the pace of funding. Staff are dedicated and work hard, but simply don’t have the resources to cope with community demand, particularly within growth areas.

The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) hears from its members about the service cuts and failures on a daily basis.

Despite being elected on the promise to “Fix the Problems”, the State Government has failed to address the chronic staff shortages in psychiatric in-patient units and community treatment teams. As such, vulnerable members of the community are not getting the care they need.

At the last budget, the State Government ignored the need for additional funding for areas such as acute services, that will properly assist patients and their families who are in crisis.

It is time to end the government’s neglect of mental health services and make the mentally ill a priority.

HACSU is negotiating with the State Government and mental health service providers to provide more staff, fund services properly, and improve wages and conditions.

Unfortunately, negotiations indicate the government and providers are not interested in the long-term quality of our mental health system.

We don’t take industrial action lightly, but we think this issue is too important to stay silent and do nothing.

The mental health system needs additional recurrent growth and capital funds in order to meet this demand. Despite mental health representing approximately 20% of the illness burden, it only attracts 7-10% of the health budget.

HACSU members want services that ensure the mentally ill, their families, local communities and all Victorians can enjoy peace of mind

Voice your objection to the State Government’s neglect of mental health services! Tell the State Government you want better mental health services in Victoria.