Injection of mental health clinicians to support drought victims

Eight new clinicians have started work in rural and regional Queensland to support Queenslanders suffering the effects of the drought.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick visited western Queensland on the weekend, and received briefings from health officials about the implementation of the Tackling Adversity in Regional Drought and Disaster communities through integrating Health Services (TARDDiHS).

Mr Dick said that eight of the nine clinicians promised under the program had already started work, with the one remaining position to be filled very soon.

“These clinicians will be providing an integrated model of care across the health system for people with mental health issues, particularly those at risk of suicide,’’ he said.

The new positions are located in nine rural and regional hospital and health services – North West, Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Darling Downs, Cairns and Hinterland, Townsville, Mackay, South West and Central West. The Central West HHS is currently finalising recruitment.

“I’ve seen first-hand the impacts of the drought on rural Queensland, and talking to community members as well as health officials out west has convinced me that people are suffering,” he said.

“The people of western Queensland are very tough and resilient but many of them are struggling in the current circumstances where they’ve had several years of drought and little prospect of better times ahead.

“The main purpose of our mental health support programs is to identify people at risk of suicide and to work with community organisations to address these issues.”

Mr Dick said the new clinicians would find that rural areas could provide a unique range of professional experiences and challenges not normally available in a metropolitan area.

The government has also allocated $600,000 to fund community-based projects.

Local government, non-government and community-based groups can apply for this funding program for grants of between $5000 and $50,000.

“What we’re trying to do with these grants is use community groups and local government to find those people who are struggling but would not normally think of accessing mental health support,” he said.

Applications for grants opened on 29 March and close on 10 May.

For more information visit www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/clinical-staff/mental-health/grants/rural-remote-community/default.asp

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Fraser 0428 690 679