Improving mental health outcomes for children and young people is an important area of focus, and this year’s State Budget invests $1.3 billion in mental health, alcohol and other drug services.

This includes delivering on expert recommendations with:
• $18.5 million to expand the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service frontline workforce across seven regions;
• $12.9 million for additional Peer Support Workers;
• $10.5 million to deliver a two-year virtual support service for at risk children; and
• $1.3 million for mental health workforce development initiatives.

This investment helps to address mental health where it starts – in the early years of someone’s life – and places community care and early intervention front and centre.