On 16 May 2011, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, announced that 79 community mental health services delivering the Personal Helpers and Mentors service across Australia will share in more than $106 million to continue helping people with mental illness over the next three years.
This funding will enable the personal helpers and mentors employed in these services to continue providing one-on-one support to help people with mental illness live more independent lives and reconnect with the wider community. This includes supporting participants to manage their daily activities and access appropriate accommodation, community, social support, employment, health and welfare services.