The Coalition Government is strengthening its commitment to Australia’s health workforce by providing $128,000 to deliver mental health course materials in undergraduate nursing degrees.
The Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the funding would be provided to the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses to undertake the Improving Mental Health Content in Undergraduate Nursing project.
“Australians — including people living in rural areas — deserve top quality health care, whenever and wherever they need it. Mental health is central to this,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Nurses and midwives are the largest professional group in the health workforce. They play a vitally important role in providing care to Australians every day and are the frontline of our health services in rural and remote areas.
“This project will take a detailed look at the current mental health content of undergraduate nursing degrees and clinical nursing placements in mental health settings.”
Minister McKenzie said that as more and more Australians recognise mental health issues it is important that Australia’s health workforce is able to provide the best possible care and support.
“Improving mental health care is a key priority for the Coalition Government and we are committed to transforming the way mental health care is delivered in Australia,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Projects like this will ensure mental health content being taught in nursing programs equips our workforce to respond to mental health challenges on the frontline.
“The Coalition Government recognises around four million Australians experience mental health conditions every year and that’s why we are committed to delivering vital mental health services.”
The findings will inform the development of a national framework for mental health content in undergraduate nursing programs, which will be distributed to Australian universities, and provided to inform the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) review of Registered Nurse Standards.