'Many Gippslanders who have the financial or other means choose to access private mental health services in Melbourne, sometimes travelling hours just for an appointment. Those without the means must rely on the less well resourced and overstretched public mental health service. Families and carers are often left struggling to cope with unstable and unwell loved ones. As all Australian families are likely to be touched by mental illness at some time the ripple effect on our community is huge.
 
'I think we can do better. By properly resourcing the public system more health providers would be enticed to come to Gippsland. The more that come, the more the load is shared and a rural position looks even more attractive.
 
'We believe local, multi disciplinary public health services must be provided that include mental health  services.  There is also an urgent need for more mental health rehabilitation beds and low care supported accommodation. The mental health nurse initiative in general practice needs to be overhauled to ensure better uptake.
 
'A well resourced public mental health service at each of the main centres in Gippsland would make an enormous difference- just ask your GP what s/he thinks of that and watch the smile broaden'
 
 
For further information please contact: Malcolm McKelvie 0417 364 615
Greens Candidate for Gippsland Byelection
www.cgn.org.au/Malcolm_McKelvie
gippsland@greens.org.au