THE Nationals have urged the Victorian Government to inject urgent funding into Lifeline Loddon Mallee to deal with increased demand for its life-saving services.
Shadow Mental Health Minister Emma Kealy and Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad last week visited Lifeline Loddon Mallee in Bendigo to hear about the ongoing mental health crisis first-hand from frontline workers.
“The government previously provided top-up funding to help Lifeline during COVID,” Ms Broad said.
“That funding has now been cut, but demand for their services has not reduced.
“Demand for their crisis support service has increased by 36 per cent since the start of the pandemic.
“Sadly, it is a relatively small amount that is needed – just $119,000.
“This is tiny drop in the government’s funding bucket when you think of the lives that are saved and the cost to our health system that is averted. It’s vital that this funding is reinstated.”
Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell addressed the issue in Parliament on Tuesday, saying that without the additional funding, Lifeline Loddon Mallee would have to cease their grief and loss counselling service and three full-time equivalent jobs would be lost.
“Just as concerning, the funding shortfall would impact on the number of volunteers the service could recruit each year, dropping from the required 35 volunteers to just 15, thus decreasing the number of calls that could be answered,” she said.
Demand for crisis support from Lifeline Loddon Mallee has increased by 36 per cent since the start of COVID-19, and the need for the service grows each year.
Lifeline Loddon Mallee executive officer Lisa Renato said the service took more than 18,000 calls last year.
“There were 84 deaths by suicide in the region – almost two per fortnight,” she said.
“This is an absolutely critical service.”
A spokesperson for Mental Health Minister Gabrielle Williams refused to say whether the government was made aware of the funding shortfall or if the top-up during the pandemic remained.
The spokesperson also refused to say whether Ms Williams would meet with Ms Renato to discuss the funding shortfall.
“We know how important the services that Lifeline provides are in preventing the tragedy of suicide in our community – that is why we have continued to provide funding for their Victorian Lifeline centres, including additional surge funding during the pandemic,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ve embarked on the biggest reform of a mental health system in our nation’s history, including a $6 billion investment to deliver recommendations from the Royal Commission – we’re not wasting a minute building a system that works for every Victorian to receive care as soon as they need it, no matter where they live.”
“Whether it’s walk-in, community-based care, support in our schools or acute hospital treatment, we’re making seeking treatment more accessible.”
The spokeswoman said in 2023-2024, the government provided ongoing funding to the Victorian Lifeline centres totalling $1.55 million, including $151,190 for Lifeline Loddon Mallee.
“In response to the 2022 floods in regional Victoria, the Labor Government provided Lifeline Australia with a further $250,000 to support the mental health and wellbeing of impacted Victorians,” the spokeswoman said.
Ms Kealy said often Lifeline was the “essential first point of contact for local people who are looking for mental health support and care”.
“Labor’s mental health levy is generating billions of dollars in revenue for the government, yet mental health waitlists in Victoria continue to grow,” she said.
“Lifeline not only costs a fraction of a hospital mental health bed but is doing critical work to save lives and minimise the impact of mental ill-health.”
Ms Renato was contacted for further comment.
Anyone requiring urgent help can call Lifeline’s 24-hour number, 131 114. For crisis support, call Beyond Blue, 1300 224 636, headspace, 1800 650 890, or Kids Helpline, 1800 551 800.
