Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Launceston yesterday where he was met by an emotional party colleague.
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Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer opened proceedings at a government mental health funding announcement with tear-filled eyes.
She revealed to those in attendance she had suffered a panic attack moments before entering the room to undertake the press conference.
"This is actually a bit overwhelming for me to be here today," she said.
"When people ask why you get involved in public life, I think everyone has their reasons why and this is one of them for me."
Ms Archer detailed her battle with several mental health issues, including anxiety and panic disorders.
She said those experiences had fueled her desire to ensure northern Tasmanians would have access to "good quality mental health care when they need it".
That desire was reciprocated by her fellow party members, who reached a bilateral agreement with the Tasmanian government to commit more than $55 million to mental health and suicide prevention support and services across Tasmania.
Those funds would be allocated over the next five years, if the federal government was successfully re-elected.
Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive, Nieves Murray said the agreement would funnel funding into mental health and suicide prevention support and services at a time when distress in the community was higher than usual.
"The bilateral agreement between Tasmania and the Commonwealth marks the completion of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement with all jurisdictions now part of this collective effort to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide," she said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the commitment was one of the most tangible things the government could do to help people with mental health issues improve their quality of life.
"Our government has been on a mission for many years as we've sought to continue to build the support and services available," he said.
Braddon Labor candidate Chris Lynch was critical of the announcement, mentioning the government's commitment in the lead up to the 2019 election that perinatal mental health clinics for new mothers and infants would be opened in Burnie and Launceston.
"These clinics do not exist," he said.
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