The Hon Greg Hunt MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Australian Government is providing an additional $12.25 million to ensure the people of NSW, particularly those in Greater Sydney, can access urgent mental health support during this difficult time.
This funding complements the $5.15 million to be provided by the NSW Government to boost mental health services that was also announced today. Taken together this package will boost existing crisis and mental health services and provide additional support to young Australians, those currently in isolation and to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Many of us have experienced the challenges of isolation, fear for loved ones, and the uncertainty the COVID-19 brings to all aspects of our lives. The pandemic continues to take a significant mental health toll on Australians, with increased stress, anxiety and depression in our communities.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt MP, said while we are fighting the spread of the virus in New South Wales, we also need to ensure we're guarding against the devastating mental health impacts the virus can bring.
"This additional mental health investment is crucial to ensuring that those in NSW can access additional support if they need it and that our services can meet increased demand and provide targeted support to those most in need," Minister Hunt said.
This funding includes:
- $3.5 million to headspace for additional youth support, with a particular focus on support for Year 11 and 12 students, with funding to be matched by the NSW Government.
- $1.5 million to Lifeline to boost crisis counselling and increase community engagement.
- $1.5 million to Sonder to enhance mental health support for those in mandatory isolation, with funding to be matched by the NSW Government.
- $4 million to Primary Health Networks (PHNs): $2 million to boost commissioned mental health services, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and $2 million to provide targeted support and to work with CALD communities and leaders in impacted areas.
- $500,000 for a communications campaign to increase awareness of available mental health services and support, aimed at CALD communities.
- $500,000 to Beyond Blue for services and to increase community engagement with NSW residents.
- $300,000 to Kids Helpline to extend online wellbeing sessions into secondary schools.
- $300,000 to the Butterfly Foundation to provide additional support for young people with, or at risk of, an eating disorder and their carers.
- $150,000 to the Gidget Foundation to boost services for parents suffering from perinatal depression and anxiety.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention,
David Coleman MP, said this funding for NSW aligns with a similar investment for the people of Victoria made by the Morrison Government in 2020.
"We have learned from Victoria that extended lockdowns can significantly impact the mental health of our communities. The Morrison Government acted quickly to provide additional support to Victorians and we are acting quickly to support the people of New South Wales, in close consultation with the NSW Government. This builds on the investment of more than $500 million to support the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians through the COVID-19 pandemic," Assistant Minister Coleman said.
This emergency support package follows a record $2.3 billion mental health package announced in the 2021-22 Budget. The Morrison Government has invested a record $6.5 billion in mental health and suicide prevention services and supports in 2021-22, doubling since 2012-13.
We are also ensuring emergency relief providers in NSW have the resources to support Australians navigating the pandemic through the $200 million Community Support Package.
