Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt has unveiled a $48.1 million COVID-19 mental health plan, featuring $7.3 million for research and data collection, $29.5 million for outreach to vulnerable people, and $11.3 million for communication and other outreach programs.

This is on top of the $1.1 billion Medicare package to tackle mental health and domestic violence, announced in March, which included funding for telehealth mental health services by GPs and mental health practitioners.

Is the funding needed?

Mental health experts have warned of a ‘second curve‘ of mental ill-health in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.