Media Release - Boost to mental health help over the phone or online

Date published : 11  April  2012 

More Australians living with anxiety or depression will soon be able to access the help and support that they need over the phone, or online, with $15.4 million made available today for telephone and web-based counselling programs. As part of the Gillard Government's commitment to better mental health services, the Department of Health and Ageing today issued an open and competitive Invitation to Apply for Funding (ITA) to suitably qualified organisations to deliver telephone counselling, self-help and web-based programs. Services that might be funded include psycho-social help lines, online counselling, web-based self-help, peer support resources, self-directed online treatment programs and therapist- assisted treatment services. The ITA will close on 15 May 2012. Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said the investment in telephone and web-based counselling demonstrated the Government's commitment to providing innovative and accessible mental services to Australians no matter where they live. 

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