By Violet Li
Cranbourne will get a new Medicare Mental Health Centre under a wider $1 billion election promise if Labor is re-elected in the election next month.
Labor’s $1 billion mental health commitment includes $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres, including the establishment of the Cranbourne branch, more than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded, or expanded headspace services, including the existing Dandenong branch, $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres to support young people with complex mental health needs, and $90 million to train more than 1,200 mental health professionals and peer workers in postgraduate courses and workplace placements.
According to the Labor Government, the Cranbourne Medicare Mental Health Centre will provide free, walk-in support for people experiencing mental health distress, as well as ongoing care for those with more complex needs.
This centre will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including social workers, nurses, and peer support workers, who will offer wraparound care across extended hours.
Incumbent Holt MP and candidate Cassandra Fernando highlighted a roundtable with Hon Emma McBride MP, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, in February last year to discuss mental health issues in Holt and then advocated for a Headspace in Cranbourne.
She said Holt is one of the youngest electorates in the country.
“Too many people in Cranbourne and surrounding suburbs are struggling to get the mental health support they need when they need it,” she said.
“This new Medicare Mental Health Centre will be a game-changer, providing free, accessible care close to home.”
The Liberal Party has pledged to double Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions from 10 to 20 and invest $400m into youth mental health if re-elected.
