Long wait lists for mental health services in Toowoomba
MORE investment in mental health services is required in Toowoomba, a leading mental health advocate says.
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MORE investment in mental health services is required in Toowoomba, a leading mental health advocate says.
Lifeline CEO Derek Tuffield said wait lists for most psychologists and psychiatrists stretched several months into the future.
"I think one of the things we will see in coming years is increased numbers of people wanting face to face counselling from qualified personnel in the area going forward," he said. "Most psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists have long waiting lists for their services.
"It's an area where we need more practitioners going forward over the next 30 years."
Mr Tuffield said the cost of inaction around mental health in Toowoomba would be devastating for the local economy.
"When people's mental health is not where it needs to be it can lead to poor decisions being made and that can be very costly, not only for the individual and families but for the wider community," he said.
"If that leads to increased levels of divorce, relationship breakdowns, increased industrial relations when the workplace and employer breakdown, it can be incredibly costly if mental health is not being addressed properly and employers aren't getting a level of support."
Mr Tuffield's call for action as part of the Future Toowoomba campaign comes just days after mental health service Floresco announced it was closing due to a lack of funding.
Mr Tuffield said there had to be initiatives to fund mental health services in the region and expand existing ones, like the government-run youth service Headspace.
"You'll find the demand of young people needing to access that service increasing and again there are waiting lists there," he said.
Lifeline offers face to face counselling services for a number of issues.
Originally published as Long wait lists for mental health services in Toowoomba
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