Psychiatrists say tonight’s Federal Budget once again offers band-aids for a mental health system on life support.

Quotes attributable to Dr Elizabeth Moore, President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP):

“For over a decade, successive budgets have handed our mental health system crumbs while it starves of the basics. This budget is no different.

“Australia’s mental health crisis is peaking at the frontlines, with emergency departments overwhelmed with mental health presentations, private psychiatric hospitals closing and the workforce burning out under relentless demand.

“And yet, governments keep reaching for short-term fixes that do nothing to address the structural damage caused by debilitating workforce shortages and piecemeal funding.

“Despite this, the word ‘psychiatry’ has only been mentioned once in tonight’s Budget papers to refer to a pre-existing program. There has been no meaningful investment in growing the psychiatry workforce.

“It is particularly striking – especially as workforce shortages continue to bite and bring the system to its knees in parts of the country.

“Hand on heart, no government can say they’ve laid the foundations for a functioning mental health system. We have to get the basics right.

“We need to grow the mental health workforce and match mental health funding to the level of community need, or the system will keep collapsing under pressure.

“Australians with mental health conditions, and the entire sector, are desperately hoping the next Federal Government finally listens.”

ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview call Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911, or email media@ranzcp.org.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.