An elected Coalition Government would provide nearly half a million dollars to support mental health services for the Chinese community in Sydney and surrounds.
The funding would help Chinese Australians to access a range of mental health support services, including continuing funding for a dedicated hotline that offers free preliminary mental health support for people of Mandarin and Cantonese backgrounds.
There would also be more support for one-on-one, in-person mental and emotional support for members of local Chinese communities. This would include an expansion of services to southern and south-western Sydney.
Under the plan, 40 volunteers would be recruited and trained to deliver additional support for the Chinese community, using their new mental health literacy knowledge and communication skills.
The funding would be provided to the Campsie-based CASS Care which is the biggest service provider for the Chinese community in NSW. The community organisation delivers a range of services to over 7000 families a week in metropolitan Sydney and Wollongong.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Anne Ruston, said providing mental health services to the growing Chinese community in Sydney was extremely important.
“Sydney is home to Australia’s largest Chinese community,” Senator Ruston said.
“Mental health challenges can impact any family, and it is important that we are able to ensure people get the best help available in what can be sensitive and complex circumstances.”
Member for Banks, David Coleman, said he had fought to secure funding to support CASS Care in Sydney.
“Under the Coalition commitment, $485,000 would be provided to the organisation to enable it to continue and expand mental health services for residents of Chinese background,” Mr Coleman said.
“CASS does fantastic work in our community, and I am very pleased that we are able to make this funding commitment.”
Professor Stephen Li, Chair of CASS said: “The H-Line hotline is a very important service in the Chinese community.
“Many people are reluctant to discuss mental health issues, and having a service that allows for confidential discussions in Mandarin and Cantonese helps people to open up.
“This funding commitment is very welcome, as it will allow us to continue to grow H-Line to help more people.”
Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Coalition’s highest priorities.
A Dutton Coalition Government has also announced it would invest $5 million to upgrade headspace Parramatta and ensure young Australians living in Western Sydney have better access to the mental health services they deserve.
We will restore the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions Australians can access from 10 back to 20, on a permanent basis, and we invest $400 million to deliver a world-leading focus on youth mental health.
Only a Dutton Coalition will make mental health a national priority and ensure all Australians, especially young Australians, have access to the affordable mental health support they need and deserve. This includes continuing and expanding mental health services for the Chinese community in Sydney.
SENATOR THE HON ANNE RUSTON
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR SPOR
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
HON DAVID COLEMAN MP
MEMBER FOR BANKS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS