Funds to stimulate mental health workforce

ALMOST 300 scholarships and grants have been announced by the State Government in a bid to retain and recruit mental health nurses, allied health professionals, alcohol and other drug practitioners and lived and living experience workers.

They’ve been made available via the government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Scholarship Program, which was established in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (2021).

More than 1,200 workers are said to be already benefiting from the program, which has helped Victoria’s public mental health workforce grow by 17 per cent between 2021 and 2023.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said the initiative is about building a strong and skilled mental health workforce, which in turn means better treatment, care and support for all Victorians.

“We are delivering hundreds of opportunities for our dedicated mental health workforce to take the next step in their career – making it easier and more accessible to upskill with financial assistance,” she said.

The State Government invested almost $3 billion into mental health in this year’s Victorian Budget 2024/25.

This included $16 million to deliver a new mental health early career and graduate program in Victoria’s network of “Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals” facilities, which offer care and support for people aged 26 years and over who are experiencing mental health or wellbeing concerns.

Scholarship applications are now open for the 2025 course enrolment.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit the Victorian Department of Health website, health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-workforce-scholarship-program.