Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in response to the interim report of the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
We agree with the Commission’s view that the Agreement has not delivered significant progress towards an integrated, accessible and person-centred mental health and suicide prevention system. Fragmentation persists, and systemic gaps continue to place vulnerable people at risk. The next Agreement must:
- Enable states and territories to deliver services that are responsive to local needs
- Improve service access, system navigation and continuity of care for people with multiple and complex needs, supported by fit-for-purpose funding models
- Prioritise whole-of-government collaboration to enable more holistic approaches to policy-making and service delivery, especially for people with complex and multiple needs, with a focus on ensuring access to stable and secure housing
- Improve access to (co-designed) supports for carers, families, supporters and kin
- Prioritise equitable service provision, especially for people in rural and regional communities
- Reduce the complexity of funding and reporting arrangements for service providers at the local level.
Jesuit Social Services’ submission is informed by the practice experience of our staff and participants, and draws on our experience delivering suicide postvention services, dual diagnosis services for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues, and support services for families, carers and supporters.
