NSW Nationals Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor this week announced a record $109.5 million investment in child and adolescent mental health which will ensure thousands of children and teenagers across NSW have access to specialised care.
The funding package for 25 Safeguards Child and Adolescent Mental Health Response Teams will enhance specialist services in every Local Health District over the next four years.
The new ‘flying squads’ will be established across the state, providing rapid and flexible care for children and adolescents in acute mental health distress.
Mrs Taylor said the ‘Safeguards’ teams will provide community-based support to help children, teens and their families coordinate all aspects of their care.
“This is a game changer in addressing mental health for children and teenagers. It’s all about bringing the right care at the right time and in the right place to children, adolescents and their loved ones,” said Mrs Taylor.
“These clinicians will work with patients and their families for 6-8 weeks providing wraparound support at home and school as well as facilitating access to follow-up care as required.
“These teams will then transition the patients into longer term mental health community-based supports.”
Skilled child and adolescent mental health clinicians will also help families in coordinating other aspects of their children’s mental health needs by linking them with appropriate services as needed such as GPs, private psychiatrists, headspace centres, education and vocational supports, NDIS providers, youth organisations or other needs such as housing providers.
