Mental health group set to close doors

MORE than 100 people with mental illnesses will lose their jobs after Christmas when a support organisation is forced to close its doors due to a lack of funding.

Last week the Mental Health Commission rejected Growing Towards Wellness’ application for funding, just months after the State Government cut its Training and Development funds.

The not-for-profit organisation was established in 2006 and has been providing specialised programs for individuals in the community living with or recovering from mental illness.

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli said he was disappointed with the commission’s decision not to fund the organisation.

General manager Cathy Mills said hundreds of people would be affected, including those in the training programs, inpatients, those employed and the more than 100 people on its waiting list.

“At this stage without the money we require we cannot keep the organisation open, ” she said.

“We have a little bit of project money left over which will last us until January 31, but after then we will officially close.

“We had to go for core funding because we have been running the organisation on volunteer workers, director funds and sponsorship.”

Mr Castrilli said he wrote a letter of support for the funding application earlier this year.

“I am disappointed that the commission hasn’t followed up with a phone call to ask for a local opinion on this very important organisation, ” he said.

“I am writing to the Minister Helen Morton to seek urgent consideration of any possible alternative funding sources which may be available, either through Mental Health or other portfolios.”

Mental Health commissioner Eddie Bartnik said the Mental Health Commission had not previously funded Growing Towards Wellness.

“We provide recurrent funding to more than 80 community organisations but receive numerous applications from others throughout the year, ” he said.

“Unfortunately, we are not able to fund all of the applications we receive and were unable to assist Growing Towards Wellness on this occasion.”