Mental Health Funds boost
for happy , healthy State
Castle Hill MP Ray Williams has welcomed the State Government ’ s new $ 130 million package for immediate help to anyone whose mental health has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
This investment will boost capacity to meet demand and making sure the Castle Hill community is at the centre of the recovery ,” Mr Williams said .
He expects the
Extra mental health funding welcomed by Castle Hill MP Ray Williams . funding will cut headspace waitlists , provide more access to psychology , psychiatry and other allied health services , and introduce community-led wellbeing programs and events .
“ The investment will also launch a state-wide suicide prevention training program for 275,000 parents , high school teachers , sports coaches , community leaders and youth workers – the biggest suicide prevention training program ever undertaken ,” Mr Williams said .
“ This package focuses on making sure people young and old can turn to trusted people in every corner of their community for support , whether that be a teacher or the coach or captain at the footy club , and when they do , they will not be turned away .”
Minister for Mental Health , Bronnie Taylor , said the new funding will train 275,000 people in the community to become mental health first aiders .
“ We want NSW to be a whole state of mental health champions , which is why we ’ re launching a state wide
community training blitz to make sure help is always close at hand , from the schoolyard to the sports club and beyond .” Mrs Taylor said .
“ The boost will also provide nearly 150,000 additional consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists , free up more mental health beds , and introduce mental health initiatives in local sports clubs and community groups .”
This funding builds on the $ 2.6 billion 2021-2022 NSW Mental Health Budget – the largest mental health investment in the State ’ s history .
Pilot trauma training program for care workers
Frontline aged , disability and community services workers will learn about the effects of trauma on themselves and others in a new pilot training program created by the State Government .
The course is being launched due to the growing demand for trauma training . It will help workers to maintain their own personal health by learning how to look after themselves and the people they work with .
Its aim is to also highlight the important role community services workers play , particularly during the current pandemic .
The wellbeing of our community services and health staff is front of mind in the trauma training program , according to Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education , Geoff Lee .
“ While these jobs are very rewarding , it ’ s also important to recognise the toll it can have on our invaluable frontline workers ,” Mr Lee said . “ The growing health sector plays a huge role in improving the quality of life in our communities , so we need to ensure our workforce has the skills and resources to care for themselves while also caring for the vulnerable .”
The program will be delivered through Training Services NSW , TAFE NSW and industry leaders and will initially see more than 100 people complete training through a blended delivery model .
Minister for Mental Health , Bronnie Taylor , said participants will gain an understanding of how trauma can affect different people and their
New trauma training is aimed to help care workers care for themselves .
families and carers . “ It ’ s vital at this time that we look after the mental health and wellbeing of those important workers on the frontline . Giving them the skills to look out for signs of distress and how to cope are vitally important ,” Mrs Taylor said .
Minister for Families , Communities and Disability Services , Alister Henskens , said the community services sector had been working around the clock during the pandemic , delivering critical support , often under challenging circumstances .
TAFE NSW Community Services head teacher , Keith Bourke , said it was important for people to understand trauma in order to learn how to manage it . “ This is very important for support workers in the disability industry , in aged care , or in any industry working with people who may have vulnerabilities .”
“ Understanding trauma and understanding the process of how people are affected can be very helpful so that people don ’ t feel powerless .” For more information , visit tafensw . edu . au .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 77 // NOVEMBER 2021 15