HELP FOR THOSE LOOKING AFTER PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

Local residents caring for those suffering from mental illness will benefit from funding announced recently to build and expand respite services in the area, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said today. Coinciding with National Mental Health Week, Senator Nash said two local organisations will receive funding to help in providing support and respite to carers locally. Local funding recipients: Applicant: North Coast Children’s Home Inc Name of project: CASPA Flexible Carer Respite Funding: $358,475 Applicant: On Track Community Programs Incorporated – Far North Coast Name of project: On Track Respite Funding: $291,000 “The needs of carers vary depending on their circumstances,” Senator Nash said. “Not all carers need the same kind of support; while some need time away for themselves, others may be looking for more in-home help, and this latest funding will allow organisations to cater for these varying needs.” The aim of the ‘On Track Respite’ service is to provide flexible respite to carers of people with a mental illness and/or disability. The organisation will provide a variety of respite options within the existing programs and expand its home-based outreach respite. CASPA (Child and Adolescent Specialist Programs & Accommodation) is a non-profit organisation that has been providing respite services for carers, children and young people since 1919. Respite programs are designed to achieve an agreed outcome for the carer that is appropriate to their needs and balances with providing opportunities to the care recipient. “This funding will inject extra resources into the non-government sector to help support carers in the local area – an issue local Nationals candidate Dr Sue Page has raised on many occasions,” Senator Nash said. Senator Nash explained the successful organisations will be funded under the National Respite Development Fund component of the Mental Health Respite Program. Through the Mental Health Respite Program, the Federal Liberal-National Government supports the valuable role of family members or friends who care for people with mental illness or people with intellectual disability. Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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