By ALESHA CAPONE
BRIMBANK carers of people with a mental illness are set to benefit from a Federal Government funding boost.
Last week, Maribyrnong electorate MP Bill Shorten visited Break Thru People Solutions in St Albans to announce $1.2 million will be given to the organisation.
The funding will help families and carers access respite services and counselling during the next five years.
Break Thru People Solutions (BTPS) is a not-for-profit organisation which offers psychiatric and disability services to job-seekers.
The funding will be devoted to providing short breaks for Brimbank, Hume, Whittlesea, Darebin and Nillumbik residents caring for people with mental health issues.
Mr Shorten said this would enable carers to take part in community and social activities, engage in peer support groups and education or receive counselling.
“This organisation (BTPS) provides vital services to the people of Melbourne’s West, and it was fantastic to be given a glimpse of the work they are doing on the ground,” Mr Shorten said.
“I don’t know where we’d be if we didn’t have people like you, helping people who need help.
“I do get that lots of carers are time-poor, tired and for many, life hasn’t turned out how they expected.”
While visiting the BTPS offices, Mr Shorten also spoke about the notorious St Albans level crossing which has claimed more than 15 lives.
“Watch out in the next couple of weeks, it’s my number one issue to try to squeeze some money out of the budget for,” he said.
Mr Shorten said a possible ‘fair’ scenario would be if the Federal Government provided 50 per cent of funding to upgrade the crossing and the State Government committed the rest.
