The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of putting more mental health workers on the frontline - delivering real support for people with complex and long-term mental health needs.
Thanks to a $30.4 million investment in the most recent State Budget, more than 30 new community mental health clinicians have already hit the ground in key regions including Western and South-Western Sydney, Hunter New England, and Northern and Southern NSW. Recruitment is now being finalised for additional roles in Murrumbidgee, the Mid North Coast, and across specialist public health and forensic services.
This new workforce includes five dedicated Mental Health Housing Liaison Officers - a first for NSW - who are already working with frontline housing teams at Homes NSW and the Department of Communities and Justice to support people living with mental illness and at risk of homelessness.
These new clinicians are part of a broader $2.9 billion mental health investment by the Minns Labor Government - and they're already making a difference in communities across the state.
Other frontline investments include:
- Medicare Mental Health Centres - $26.37 million to deliver walk-in, free mental health support in local communities.
- Safe Havens - $35.7 million to operate 21 spaces across NSW providing care for people in distress.
- Psychosocial Support and Housing - $83.6 million to help 1,800 people with severe mental illness recover in the community and build independence.
- Crisis Helplines - $17.1 million for Kids Helpline and $6.5 million for Lifeline, delivering on key election commitments.
Work is also underway to introduce landmark legislation for a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention, as part of the ongoing Towards Zero Suicides initiative.
Minister for Mental Health, Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"These boots on the ground are exactly what communities have been crying out for - experienced mental health workers in local settings, working directly with the people who need them most.
"We're not just talking about supporting mental health - we're delivering it, with 32 new clinicians already embedded in communities across NSW."
"For too long, people with complex mental health needs have fallen through the cracks. That changes with this government. We're putting workers where they're needed - on the ground, in the community, and alongside people doing it tough."
Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:
"We want people to have a better range of supports and services available to them - that's why the new community mental health officers are so crucial and welcome in our community.
"In South Western Sydney, locals are already reaping the benefits of investments in mental health care that acknowledges the complexities that people live with, with the Safe Havens in Liverpool and Campbelltown each seeing between 800 to 1,000 presentations a year.
"Our District was one of the first to recruit these new workers and it's really encouraging to see our new clinicians are getting to work and making sure people have access to support at the most vulnerable times of their life."
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