Concerns government low-intensity digital mental health service will not go far enough

Child and adolescent psychologist Clare Rowe has criticised the Albanese government's spending on the mental health sector claiming the money is not going where it is most desperately needed. Ms Rowe's remarks come as the government earlier in the month revealed in the federal budget it will spend $588 million over eight years to set up a low-intensity digital mental health service. “I think mental health is the only sector where the more money we spend the worse it gets,” Ms Rowe told Sky News host Rita Panahi. “One of the issues I have is the government says they're going to commit to something like $580 million to come up with some type of online platform where Aussies can call up telehealth. “So very low-intensity calls that were not talking about clinical depression, we're talking about catching people early. “I’m worried that if you are more severely depressed … there are very few places for them to go to unless they're willing to fork out for the private system.” If you or anyone you know needs help: Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 Lifeline – 13 11 14 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636