What is the Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities program?
The Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities program aims to build the capacity of rural and remote drought affected communities to respond to the psychological impacts of drought.
Responsibility for the Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities program rests with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Why is this important?
The ongoing drought is affecting the mental health of farming families and rural communities. Many affected communities need more mental health assistance.
Who will benefit?
The Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities program will help families, health professionals and community leaders across a range of drought affected communities.
What will the Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities program deliver?
The program will provide community outreach and crisis counselling for distressed individuals, families and communities in drought affected rural areas, and education and training for health workers and community leaders to respond to the early warnings of emotional distress. It will also increase the capacity of communities to respond to drought-related psychological trauma.
How will it work?
The majority of funding under Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities is allocated to over 40 eligible rural and remote Divisions of General Practice to provide community outreach and crisis counselling. Community awareness activities and education and training for health workers and community leaders will also be provided in eligible Divisions.
What funding is attached to this program?
$10.1 million over the two years 2007-08 and 2008-09.
When did the Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities program start?
1 July 2007.
Further Information
Contact mentalhealth@health.gov.au.
Page currency, Latest update: 23 June, 2008