The Hon. Greg Hunt MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Hon. David Coleman MP
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
22 April 2022
Continued support for Kindred Clubhouse to improve mental health
The Morrison Government is ensuring continued access to mental health support for people in the Hastings and Western Port community, with an additional investment of $600,000 over two years.
The funding will support the not-for-profit Kindred Clubhouse, which provides free mental health peer support.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the funding would help Kindred continue to serve the Western Port community.
“The Kindred Clubhouse follows a successful mental health recovery model which operates in more than 300 successful Clubhouses worldwide, including in Australia,” Minister Hunt said.
“Kindred Clubhouse opens its doors to people living with mental illness to help them develop the skills and confidence needed to lead satisfying and purposeful lives in the community.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said Kindred Clubhouse helps its participants through a work-ordered day model of engagement that provides a pathway to employment.
“The work-ordered day is structured around an eight-hour period where members and staff work together to perform the work that is important to their Clubhouse community.
“Members are able to access opportunities to return to paid employment in integrated work settings through the Transitional Employment and Independent Employment programs.”
The Hastings Kindred Clubhouse previously received $800,000 in Government funding from 2019 to 2022.
Liberal Candidate for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, welcomed the Morrison Government’s investment for the Kindred Clubhouse.
“Kindred Clubhouse offers people with mental illness access to a safe space and a network of support which can help them grow social connections and access employment and education opportunities,” Ms McKenzie said.
“The Clubhouse currently has over 50 members and provides daily support to these members and their families.”
The Morrison Government continues to make mental health a national priority, investing a record $3 billion in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Budgets for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform of the mental health system.
This brings the Health portfolio expenditure in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2022–23 to a record high of $6.8 billion.
Unlike the Labor Party, which has not given Australians any detail on their plans for mental health, the Morrison Government will continue to ensure that all Australians can access information, advice, counselling, or treatment, when and where they need it.
The Clubhouse is located at 29 Marine Parade, Hastings. More information is available online – https://www.kindredclubhouse.org.au/
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