Mental Health Funding
I have been proud to work with the NSW Government who is spending $2.9 billion in the current year and has invested significant resources towards mental health services.
This includes:
Boost to Mental Health teams
$30.4 million over the next four years to expand our community mental health teams across New South Wales. This will add an additional 35 full-time mental health professionals, some of whom will be working with the Department of Community and Justice.
Pathways to Community Living Initiative
$40 million will be spent over the next four years on the Pathways to Community Living Initiative (PCLI) focusing on alternatives to long term hospital care for people of complex needs who have persistent mental illness currently served by very busy emergency departments. This will fund an additional 25 professionals who will support patients through the program.
The Mental Health Review Tribunal
The Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) will receive an additional $2.4 million over 4 years enabling digitisation of records, an upgrade to IT systems, and investment in a new case management system. These system improvements will support the MHRT to meet continued growth in patients and hearings.
Mental Health Single Front Door under Health Direct
$39.9 million will be spent over the next four years to establish a new Mental Health Single Front Door under Health Direct. This provides an expansion of virtual GP, virtual KIDS and Urgent Care Services where people will receive assessment advice from specialist clinicians and be connected to the appropriate services.
Mental Health Single Front Door under Health Direct will provide an alternative to attending a very busy hospital emergency department relieving added stress and anxiety.
Funding boost in forensic mental health services
In the previous financial year 2023-2024, the NSW Government made vital investments in mental health with an additional 109 forensic mental health beds to be delivered in NSW to ensure more people with severe mental illness can get treatment.
Expanding the existing old network of forensic and mental health units is a crucial step to improving the system as part of a $700 million investment.
Forensic Mental health units are a key part of both the mental health and justice system, which ensures people receive comprehensive mental health care when engaged in the criminal justice system because of their ill health.
There were a total of 209 beds in forensic mental health units and they’ve delivered a 50 percent increase to ensure NSW facilities have the capacity to meet our needs and help people on the road to recovery.
The care provided in the forensic mental health units is vital in reducing the risk of repeat offending resulting from untreated mental illness which improves the safety of our community.
The goal is to put people back on their feet and in the right headspace so they can recover and transition back into the community to live meaningful, purposeful lives.
Funding boost for Lifeline
In the 2023-2024 year the NSW government provided significant additional funding to Lifeline. The investment will assist with the expansion of its telephone, text service and online support for people experiencing a mental health crisis. In 2022, Lifeline received over 360,000 calls from NSW callers.
The investment will see people across the state have access to enhanced support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lifeline will receive $8.2 million over five years to facilitate the expansion of text and web chat services for NSW residents.
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Lifeline provides people in crisis with help from trained volunteers who listen, provide immediate support, assist to clarify options and choices as well as information about local services.
Suicide has a devastating impact on families, friend, communities and workplaces. Knowing where to go to find support in a crisis can be lifesaving. The additional funding will help Lifeline continue to support even more people with confidential, non-judgemental care.
Parliamentary Inquiry to look at impacts of loneliness
The Government is working to support the wellbeing of the people of New South Wales, with a Parliamentary Inquiry into the rising issue of loneliness across the state to begin in 2024.
The first of its kind Inquiry in New South Wales, will:
- examine the extent, causes and impacts of loneliness,
- review how other regions are addressing loneliness,
- assist in identifying those most at risk of social isolation in the state,
-
identify steps for the government and community to take to reduce its prevalence and
impacts.
Loneliness occurs when a person experiences distress from greater levels of social disconnection than they desire. Whilst isolation or being alone does not necessarily mean a person is lonely, recent studies have highlighted loneliness as a growing experience. Loneliness is more than just an emotional experience; it has profound impacts on our mental and physical health.
Loneliness has emerged as a significant public health issue following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, a Community Wellbeing Survey, by the Mental Health Commission found that nearly 40% of NSW residents experience loneliness at varying degrees, with those facing mental health challenges almost twice as likely to feel isolated.
Sydney has also been identified as the city with the most singles with 1.7 million Sydneysiders living alone or currently single.
Further, loneliness is not just an emotional burden, with studies highlighting its link to premature death, poor physical and mental health and increased psychological distress.
The Committee will work with mental health experts, advocates, and those with a lived experience of loneliness while undertaking this Inquiry.
Suicide Prevention in NSW
Help is available - No one needs to face their problems alone. If you or someone you know are thinking about suicide or are experiencing distress, call:
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support Line 13YARN (13 92 76)
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
Visit www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au for information about other services or talk to your general practitioner (GP).