Today marks the second anniversary of the release of The Unmet Needs Study commissioned by the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist (SA Health), with the Mental Health Coalition of SA deeply concerned at the inaction that has been taken to address the critical shortfall in psychosocial services across South Australia.
Two years ago the Report revealed that 26,810 individuals with severe mental illness required psychosocial support in the 2021/2022 period, yet over 19,000 of them were left without the essential support they need – meaning the mental health system cannot provide effective support for 75% of those who need it.
"We have seen continual investment in crisis services and hospitals but not in more psychosocial supports which help people to get better and reduce their need for crisis and hospital services," said MHCSA Executive Director Geoff Harris. "This is an unsustainable approach to the funding of mental health services which is devastating for the 19,000 South Australians and their families who have to live with the consequences."
The estimated annual investment of $125 million necessary to address this unmet need has yet to materialise, despite mounting evidence supporting community-based psychosocial support over hospital-based interventions.
"The Government's own report does not ask for more beds – it recommends community psychosocial support," Mr Harris continued. "The recent Productivity Commission Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement did not recommend more beds – it recommended urgent investment in psychosocial support. These are dispassionate economists looking at the evidence."
The consequences of inaction remain stark. Individuals in the community continue to face increased hospitalisations and crisis support because they have not received the support they need to stay well in the community. Evaluations of SA programs such as the Intensive Home-Based Support Service indicate these programs will pay for themselves in terms of reduced hospital costs, while SA's Individual Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Support Program showed a 40% reduction in hospitalisations and a 16% reduction in length of stay.
"There is a gap of 19,000 people – and their carers – across South Australia who are unable to access psychosocial support, plus their families and friends," Harris said. "Two years on and still our Government refuses to act."
Mental health advocates are calling on the State's leaders – the Premier, Treasurer and Health Minister – to stop ignoring the problem and the mounting evidence. They are urging an allocation in the upcoming mid-year budget review and a plan to invest $125 million over the next five years to address this critical gap.
