In the suburbs of Western Sydney Nita grew up hoping to one day study psychology. Nita had watched on as relatives experienced mental illness but were unable to get the help they needed.
But Nita is one of thousands of students who applied for a postgraduate clinical psychology course yet were not admitted because of a limited number of places at universities.
I know how frustrating it must be for anyone who has been waiting to see a psychologist, or desperately trying to find an appointment for a family member, to hear that students like Nita have been turned away from studying psychology.
That is why we are investing in more postgraduate psychology places across the country.
We have just announced that there will be more places at universities in every state and territory including at the University of Sydney, University of Wollongong and at Western Sydney University.
We are also funding more internships and supervisor training for psychologists with half of these places for people in First Nations communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people living in regional, rural and remote towns in Australia.
I had the privilege of working in a regional community as a mental health pharmacist helping people every day to get the support they needed. I know how important it is for students to also have opportunities to train in regional communities and that is exactly what this program will deliver.
The Albanese Labor Government is making more opportunities for students like Nita who want to study psychology, complete their internship, and help people get the care and support they need.
It's these students who will now be able to get the training and experience to support people in hospitals, headspaces and Medicare Mental Health Centres.
It's just one part of our reforms to make a better mental health system for everyone.
We're introducing the National Early Intervention Service so people can call or get help online whether they're in distress or just need some advice.
We're also setting up Medicare Mental Health Centres across the country where people will be able to walk in and get free support from social workers, nurses, peer workers and psychologists.
Nita didn't give up and after three years of applying was able to study postgraduate psychology.
These reforms need people just like Nita who want to study and go on to contribute to a better mental health system. That is exactly what this investment in more postgraduate psychology places will make possible.
