4 March 2010

New Mental Health Services For Refugees

The Australian Government has allocated $5.4 million to fund new mental health services for humanitarian entrants with a mental illness.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew, announced the latest investment in the Government’s Personal Helpers & Mentors (PHaMS) program while visiting New Horizons at North Ryde on Wednesday.

PHaMS currently provides support to people with severe functional limitation as a result of mental illness, assisting participants to manage daily activities, become more involved in the community and improve relationships with family and friends.

These new services will expand the PHaMS program to provide the specialised support humanitarian entrants with a mental illness need “to connect with the wider community and to live more independent and satisfying lives" Ms Macklin said.

This latest funding comes in addition to the more than $284 million already committed to the PHaMS program nationally since 2006.

New Horizons will receive an additional $1.2 million to expand its program and employ new support workers to provide intensive assistance to humanitarian entrants in Northern and Western Sydney.

“We are pleased that New Horizons will receive this additional funding to expand what is clearly already a very successful service… and to continue what is outstanding work” Ms Macklin said.

Maxine McKew MP joined the Minister in congratulating New Horizons for being chosen to deliver these new services.

“It is a tribute to the quality of care that New Horizons provides” Ms McKew said.

New Horizons’ CEO, Stephen Kinkead welcomed the Minister and Ms McKew’s announcement.

“We are pleased that the Government is increasing its commitment to the PHaMS program and expanding the support available to some of the most vulnerable members of our community” Mr Kinkead said.

“People with a mental illness who have experienced the distress of being displaced from their homeland, and who may also face cultural and linguistic barriers, require specialised, dedicated support. We are looking forward to providing that support” Mr Kinkead added.

New Horizons expects to have its new services operating by 30 April 2010.

Related Article: Fahcsia.gov.au

Click here to read the Minister's statement

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