The Victorian Government’s announcement of a $10 million funding grant puts the state at the frontier of mental health research in Australia.
Initiated by the Liberal State Minister for Health, the Hon Mary Wooldridge, the Mental Illness Research Fund will allocate funds to five separate research projects, geared towards development across a range of different sectors relating to mental illness.
Ms Wooldridge announced the new research fund at a Melbourne Brain Centre event, recognising the need to continually support research into mental health in Victoria.
“Victoria’s health and medical research experts are leading the way in innovating health solutions and contributing to policy and practice on a national and international scale”, Ms Wooldridge said.
Chosen from a group of over 40 applicants, the five grants are to be allocated to organisations or individual projects which will actively further develop mental health research.
Read more about each recipient
However, the timing of the recent announcement has also raised speculation over its legitimacy.
While the grants appear generous, any announcement of funding leading up to an election carries political undertones.
Victoria’s high concentration of mental health related organisations such as BeyondBlue, Mindframe and Headspace adds to the idea that Victorians are more aware and educated on the impact mental health issues can have on individuals, families and the community.
For further information on mental illness, get the facts at SANE
Mental health organisations such as the Jesuit Social Services Organisation for example, focus on counselling and youth driven services for those suffering mental illness.
Such organisations receive both federal and state government funding for their work with sufferers of depression and anxiety, as well as assisting and educating youths on the impact of drugs and alcohol, through camps and outdoor activities.
Policy Officer, Michael Livingstone explains that although federal and state funding exists for his organisation, a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding mental health is required.
“It’s also about the level of services provided and funded, and about determining responsibility,” he says.
Mr Livingstone maintains that education on mental health issues has increased over the last “10 to 15 years” and although federal and state funding has gradually increased, there is always more that can be done.
“Having said that, any funding is embraced with open arms” he says.
