$111.8 million support package for community mental health
Tuesday, 4 June 2024
The NSW Government is today announcing a $111.8 million package of initiatives to support community mental health and wellbeing by increasing the essential help available to the people of NSW when they need it.
Over 2 in 5 Australians aged 16 to 85 are estimated to have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their life.
People living with mental illness, particularly those with severe mental illness, are more at risk of experiencing a range of adverse health outcomes and have a lower average life expectancy than the general population, with men’s life expectancies being reduced by 15.9 years, and for women by 12 years.
The initiatives announced today are designed to enhance and support the wellbeing of the people of NSW.
$30.4 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TEAMS
The NSW Government will invest $30.4 million over 4 years to expand Community Mental Health Teams across targeted areas, including in regional NSW.
These teams work within Local Health Districts and specialty health networks caring for those who experience persistent and complex mental illness.
This funding will provide a workforce boost of approximately 35 additional mental health positions, which will support community outreach, allow for extended hours of service and enable more comprehensive case management.
It will also strengthen coordination of care, enhance access to specialist psychological services and improve family involvement in care.
The 35 additional mental health professionals will include five out-reach mental health housing liaison positions who will work with the Department of Communities and Justice to link people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, who are accessing mental health services to housing and help them sustain tenancies.
The St Vincent’s Health network will also be allocated 5 workers to establish a new assertive adult community mental health team.
This will allow them to increase their support for those facing complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness, substance misuse issues and those at risk of engagement with the criminal justice system.
$40 MILLION FOR THE PATHWAYS TO COMMUNITY LIVING INITATIVE
The NSW Government will invest $40 million over four years for the Pathways to Community Living Initiative, which is focused on supporting alternatives to long term hospital care for people with complex needs, who have persistent mental illness.
This funding will fund a complex care clinical workforce of over 25 professionals who will support patients through this program.
$39 MILLION FOR A MENTAL HEALTH SINGLE FRONT DOOR
The NSW Government will invest an additional $39 million over four years to strengthen mental health services by establishing a new Mental Health Single Front Door.
The NSW Single Front Door, delivered through Healthdirect currently provides virtual GP, virtual KIDS and Urgent Care Services.
This funding will allow this service to be expanded to allow those in need of mental health support to call Healthdirect and receive assessment advice from specialist clinicians and be connected with the appropriate services.
This initiative has been developed in consultation with carers, mental health professionals, a range of service providers, and those who may use the service.
Last year, 124,467 Emergency Department visits were made for mental health. It is estimated that approximately 25 per cent of these would have been suitable to receive support through other primary care settings.
By providing callers with information on alternative care pathways, the establishment of a Mental Health Single Front Door will reduce avoidable Emergency Department presentations and improve patient flow across hospitals.
