The NSW Nationals in the state government will deliver a record $2.9 billion investment into mental health services and support for people across the State as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
Nationals Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the funding would improve vital services and ensure mental health support was more readily available for those who needed it.
“Mental health issues often appear after a crisis, and given what we have gone through as a community over the past couple of years, this support is more important than ever,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We are committed to investing in services across the spectrum of mental health, from acute services to wellbeing supports, to ensure the right service is available at the right time for individuals, families and communities across the State.”
The $2.9 billion includes the $130 million COVID-19 mental health recovery package announced in October 2021 and the $25 million flood recovery package, announced this year.
Key highlights of the 2022-23 Mental Health Budget include:
• $143.4 million across four years for Towards Zero Suicides, to fund suicide prevention initiatives. This continues the $87 million investment in 2019-20 to 2021-22
• $60.7 million over four years for Aftercare to support people who have attempted suicide or experienced suicidal crisis. This is on top of $9 million previously invested in a trial of Aftercare from 2019-20 to 2021-22
• $46.5 million over four years to substantially expand and enhance Headspace services, ensuring it can reach more young people across the State. This is on top of the $27.0 million previously invested in the service since July 2021
• $26.4 million over four years to establish Head to Health hubs that will see multidisciplinary teams operating a no-wrong-door approach to support for adults experiencing mental health challenges
• $17.9 million over four years for new child health and wellbeing community-based hubs for children to strengthen support for parents, improve intervention early in life and increase access to multidisciplinary care and State-wide Community Court Liaison Service for children aged up to 12 and their families
• $5.2 million over four years for non-government organisations to help new and expecting parents access mental health support and counselling
• $28.5 million over four years for Lifeline to boost crisis counselling services. This funding builds on $25.5 million already invested in supporting the vital service since 2018-19
The NSW Government’s investment in Aftercare, Headspace, Head to Health and the child and adolescent hubs will be jointly funded with the Commonwealth Government, bringing the total investment to $383 million.
To find out more on the budget visit: https://www.budget.nsw.gov.au/budget-papers/regional-nsw
