Caz Heise, independent candidate for Cowper, has today announced a comprehensive plan to improve access to mental health support in the region, calling for urgent reform to address workforce shortages, long wait times, and rising demand, especially among young people, veterans and their families, and frontline workers.

The announcement builds on her recent endorsement of the Movember Institute for Men’s Health and reflects deep engagement with local communities across Cowper.

“Everyone deserves timely access to quality mental health support,” Caz said. 

“Whether it’s a parent, a young person, a veteran, a frontline worker or an older resident - mental health care should be there when it’s needed, without long waits, high costs, or complex hoops to jump through.”

"It’s also essential to highlight the national youth mental health crisis, with two in five young people currently in need of mental health care."

Caz’s plan includes:

• Restoring access to 20 Medicare-rebated therapy sessions per year for people with a mental health plan.

• Increasing Medicare rebates for community psychiatry and psychology to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

• Including qualified counsellors in the Medicare system to expand access, reduce wait times, and give people greater choice in care.

• Fully implementing the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, with funding for place-based and early intervention approaches.

• Sustainable funding for services like headspace and Orygen to boost capacity, retain staff, and support more young people across the region.

• An expansion of telehealth and mobile mental health units to serve remote areas.

• Expanding access to culturally safe, community-led mental health programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, including initiatives led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

• More support for families and allies, who play a vital role in supporting young people through mental health challenges.

• Invest in community-based care and crisis alternatives, to expand access to community hubs and safe spaces for people in mental health crisis to go,  instead of being sent to emergency departments.  

Statements attributable to Caz Heise 

“We need to ensure our mental health services are not only accessible but specifically designed to address the diverse challenges faced by different groups, including youth, veterans and their families, and older residents,” she asserted.

"That means more trauma-informed mental health programs that cater to issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use.”

“We also need to support local training opportunities so that people can study, qualify, and work here in Cowper. The evidence shows that if people train here, they’re more likely to stay - and that means shorter waitlists, more continuity of care, and stronger communities,” Caz said.

“We are in the middle of a youth mental health crisis, with two in five young people needing support. It is absolutely vital we fund critical services like headspace and Orygen to boost capacity, retain staff, and support more young people across the region.

Caz has been meeting with parents of young people who would benefit from services, and stresses the critical need to support the care givers.

“We must also acknowledge the impact of shared stressors and caregiving roles on mental wellbeing and ensure that support is there for families in need,” she explained.

Caz also made a specific call to make Medicare work better for regional communities by including accredited counsellors in the rebate system.

“Right now, counsellors, many of whom are highly trained and do vital work - aren’t included under Medicare. That drives up costs and limits people’s choices. In regional areas like ours, that can mean waiting months for a psychologist when a counsellor could help right away. That needs to change.”

“Timely, accessible mental health care is not a luxury - it’s a necessity that strengthens individuals, families, and communities,” Caz concluded.