People living with mental illness across NSW will soon benefit from six pioneering projects, awarded $1.26 million as part of the NSW Government’s $4 million Mental Health Innovation Fund.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies announced the projects at Parliament House on World Mental Health Day.
“Today is a day to challenge perceptions about mental illness. It also reminds us we all play a part in breaking down the stigma that still exists in our communities across NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“These innovative projects will deliver early intervention programs and community-based care, which can transform the lives of people living with a mental illness.”
Mrs Davies said World Mental Health Day was the perfect time to announce initiatives that pave the way for more people to seek the help and support they deserve.
“Care in the community, rather than in hospital, can help people stay well for longer by reducing physical and social barriers to getting the right help for mental illness or distress,” Mrs Davies said.
Funding has been awarded to community-based projects targeting Aboriginal mental health, adult mental health education, child and youth mental health and intellectual disability mental health.
Successful applicants include:
- $200,000 for Yerin Aboriginal Services (Central Coast Local Health District) to support Aboriginal people living with a mental illness;
- $224,000 for Flourish’s Learning Network Project for education, training and employment for people living with mental illness in the Illawarra Shoalhaven and the Hunter region;
- $325,000 for the Blue Knot Foundation to deliver the Empowering Recovery from Childhood Trauma project (Sydney LHD);
- $141,000 for Karitane (South Western Sydney LHD) to deliver Parent Child Interaction Therapy, an early intervention program addressing behavioural concerns in children aged two to seven-years-old;
- $184,000 for 3DN (South Eastern Sydney LHD) to improve mental health outcomes for people with an intellectual disability through an app that helps clinicians and people with intellectual disability communicate more effectively;
- $190,000 for The Black Dog Institute (South Eastern Sydney LHD) to deliver the MyCompassToo! project, which provides e-mental health treatment for depression and anxiety in people with borderline to mild intellectual disability.
Mrs Davies also encouraged everyone through Mental Health Month this October to share their mental health story with friends, family and colleagues.
“Be brave, be bold, and be honest. By sharing your journey, you allow others to do the same, this breaks down the stigma surrounding mental health,” Mrs Davies said.
The Innovation Fund is a key part of the NSW Government’s commitment to Living Well, the NSW Mental Health Commission’s 10-year strategy to transform mental health services.
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For mental health services please contact the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.