Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) has made the decision to cut funding to the Mental Health Legal Centre (MHLC) and redirect those funds (around $360,000) to VLA itself. This means the MHLC may be forced to close its doors. 

Unless this funding is restored or the MHLC secures alternative funding this will spell the end of 26 years of free, independent and specialised legal advice and advocacy for people living with mental illness.

In March this year the Victorian Parliamentary Law Reform Committee singled out specialist community legal centres like the MHLC as an important means of providing access to justice for people with disabilities. The demand for these services is only expected to grow with the proposed reforms for a new Mental Health Act.

You can help. Sign the petition for Victoria Legal Aid to reverse its decision to cut funding to the MHLC!