Victoria's mental health system has received another boost with the state government announcing a $59.4 million package to help meet demand.
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The funding includes support for telephone services such as BeyondBlue, Lifeline, Kids Helpline and Suicide Line Victoria, which will share in $6.7 million.
Beyond Blue's chair Julie Gillard said the package is significant and necessary.
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"We know there are groups of people who will require more support during this crisis, including people who don't have strong personal networks and who don't have access to the same data and technology as many of us," Ms Gillard said.
Phones and additional data will be provided to vulnerable and high-risk clients in Victoria's public mental health services, to ensure they can remain engaged with treatment and services.
Lifeline Australia chairman John Brodgen said Australians are turning to Lifeline for support more than at any other time in its history.
"In March, we received almost 90,000 calls from people in crisis, that's a call every 30 seconds," Mr Brogden said.
"In the last three weeks, the number of callers who contacted Lifeline and wanted to talk about coronavirus has jumped from 23 per cent to over 50 per cent."
A $6 million online therapy and peer support service for young people, called eOrygen will support children, young people and adolescents.
An additional 170 youth and adult acute mental health beds will also be funded as part of a $17.8 million commitment.
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Premier Daniel Andrews said staying away from family and friends can be emotionally difficult.
"We want to keep people connected to the treatment and services they need while taking pressure off our hospitals," Mr Andrews said.
The closure of Lifeline's 250 retail support centres and cancellation of its mental health community training program left it with a gap to fill amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Brogden says the state government's funding assistance will help keep Victorian centres viable.
"The support will assist Lifeline crisis supporters to be available to respond to calls, chats and text messages," Mr Brogden said.
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