A message from the Minister

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year, one in every five people in Geelong will experience mental illness. Sadly, at least half of these people affected will never get the help they need.

This mental health week, we all need to recognise the impact mental illness has on everyone in our community — whether personally, or caring for a loved one.

Over a lifetime, half of us will experience mental illness. We are losing up to $11 billion a year in productivity, but more importantly it’s costing lives.

Here in Geelong, we are investing in innovative programs that provide professional care as soon as possible.

This includes the PROMPT ambulance trial which has meant 80 per cent of patients in mental health distress received immediate help, often in their home, avoiding hospital.

We’re reimagining Barwon Health’s Swanston Centre, and building a specialist emergency hub to better care for people with complex mental health and alcohol and other drug needs.

We will also implement every single one of the recommendations made by our very first Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, to fix these problems for good.

We know there are things that need to change about mental health in Victoria and we don’t have all the answers yet, but the Labor Government is not shying away from the problem.

We will continue listening to you to deliver the world-class contemporary mental health system we all deserve.

If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. The Hon. Martin Foley Minister for Mental Health