The $1.4 billion dollar investment, announced last week, pledged $280 million for rural mental health and “quarantined” funding for the youth mental health provider. 

Headspace Maitland’s clinical and service integration manager Felicity Scott said funding boosts were essential in improving positive outcomes for those who use the service.

“We welcome initiatives and all work towards reducing stigma around mental health and accessing services particularly for at-risk groups in communities,” she said.

“We recognise and support the great benefits in bolstering programs that include increased funding and service provision for mental health nurses, suicide prevention and working within areas that [address] drug and alcohol use in conjunction with mental ill health.”

The announcement came as a report was released by ConNetica and the Brain and Mind Centre University of Sydney that found the suicide rate in all 28 surveyed electorates exceeded the road toll.

National Mental Health Commissioner Professor Ian Hickie said mining and industry downturns in regional areas were major risk factors for suicide.

Ms Scott welcomed the Greens’ commitment to ensuring youth mental health was a priority for the government.

“Just as the Greens announcement states they would like ‘ongoing quarantining of a funding stream specifically for holistic youth mental health and early intervention programs’, we too would welcome a commitment,” she said. 

Greens candidate for Paterson John Brown said the work done by headspace was critical to the region. 

“Our youth unemployment in Maitland is above 20 per cent,” he said.

“These kids need a safe place to go to where they can seek help.

“The key is early intervention. More needs to be done to ensure that mental health prevention and primary care is accessible for the wider population besides our younger generation.”

Mr Brown said campaigning for mental health was a cause close to his heart.

“I personally went through a long period of depression and anxiety, so I know what it is like,” he said.

“You feel helpless. But support can be made available with the proper funding.”

Approximately seven Australians die per day as a result of suicide. 

Mr Brown said his party wanted to commit $38.3 million for a national suicide prevention campaign to engage and educate communities about the issue.

“And lastly there is the stigma attached to mental health,” he said.

“About 45 per cent of Australians will suffer from mental health issues and yet the stigma of mental health is embedded in our communities.

“We have to overcome that. Mental health is the same as any other health problem.”

If you need help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit headspace.org.au.