Professor Louise Newman

Abbott mental health plan ‘lacks vision’

THE Federal Opposition’s pledge to invest $1.5 billion in mental health services has received a lukewarm welcome from experts, who argue that while the cash is needed, the focus of the plan is wrong. As both parties shift into election mode, Opposition leader Tony Abbott last week unveiled the Coalition’s Real Action Plan for Better Mental Health, which outlined plans for 20 new early psychosis prevention and intervention centres, 60 additional headspace centres and 800 acute and sub-acute early intervention beds. But the plan would come at the expense of investment in e-health, Medicare Locals and GP ...