The leadership of Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, has welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to extending Australia’s leadership, research expertise and investment in youth mental health.
Earlier this week Professor Patrick McGorry, executive director of Orygen and Kerryn Pennell, director of strategy and development, met with Australian Prime Minister the Hon. Scott Morrison to discuss youth mental health reform and the welcome addition of $51.8 million to boost the capacity of Australia’s headspace services.
Professor McGorry said this additional funding would improve young people’s access to important primary mental health care, drug and alcohol services, and education and employment supports delivered through headspace centres.
During Mental Health Week last week the Australian Government also announced that child and youth mental health would be the focus of the first round of funding under its $125 Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission.
Professor McGorry as a member of the Million Minds advisory panel, said he was thrilled this important initiative was now underway. “I look forward to working closely with my colleagues within the mental health sector to work toward making a true and lasting impact on the lives of people living with mental ill-health” he said.
Orygen has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the role of mental health in supporting economic participation and enhancing productivity and economic growth.
Professor McGorry said the inquiry would provide a significant opportunity to highlight the impact of mental ill-health on the nearly five million Australians, their families, and their communities, who experience it each year.
“Orygen is expecting the Productivity Commission inquiry will provide decisive impetus for bringing evidence-based programs for early intervention in young people and other mental health services to national scale, greatly improving the social and economic outcomes for all Australian young people, their families and communities,” Professor McGorry said.
You can read Orygen’s full response to the Productivity Commission Inquiry here.