Mental Health Services

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. What are some of the latest mental health initiatives in our regions?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:52): I thank the member for his interest and concern in this area. Last week, I attended and spoke at the combined health advisory council conference. The conference was attended by the Minister for Health and the member for Fisher, who takes a keen interest in this area. It was a great opportunity to speak with advisory council members across the state and to learn about how mental health services in our rural areas are progressing.

In recent years, there have been significant improvements in access to mental health services across our state and for country people and in the awareness of mental health and the impact of mental health illness on individuals, families and the community as a whole across our state. A case of how we are enabling better access to mental health services to country residents is the example of the Digital Telehealth network.

This platform has brought clinical assessments and care to even our most remote areas of the state as well as to a range of other services and supports. In June 2015, Country Health SA opened its third integrated mental health inpatient unit at Mount Gambier. This additional service increased the range of mental health services available to the South-East of our state, with improved integration of community and inpatient mental health services.

The Mount Gambier inpatient unit was the third integrated mental health unit to open, with six-bed units operational in Whyalla, the Riverland and Mount Gambier. This has enabled a vital expansion of our countrywide acute mental health services, enabling consumers and carers to access services in a stepped-up model of care, which is closer to their homes and communities. Reducing travel to Adelaide is a very important part of this for the consumer to benefit and be allowed greater family support and carer involvement and support as they move back into the community on their wellness journey.

The state government recently committed $8.5 million over four years to step in to restore mental health services in Whyalla. At a time when the commonwealth should have been increasing its outlay on mental health services across the state it instead cut vital services that make a real difference to people living with mental illness, and their families. I intend to visit the regions whenever I am able to. In fact, I am looking forward to going out to Port Lincoln, Ceduna and other locations very shortly. I intend to talk firsthand with rural communities about suicide prevention, mental health services and a vast array of things that our state is doing to support them in their local communities. Good mental health in our regions is a priority of this government—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: —and the Weatherill government is proud of its journey of improvement in this over the years and the years ahead.

The SPEAKER: Before the member for Adelaide asks a question, I call to order the members for Schubert, Mount Gambier and Kavel. I warn for the first time the members for Chaffey, Goyder, Mount Gambier and Morphett, and I warn for the second and final time the members for Finniss, Mount Gambier and Chaffey. Member for Adelaide.