Mental Health Rights Manual
An online guide to help explain your legal and human rights in the mental health and human services systems in New South Wales.
Read moreRecovery Oriented Language Guide
Words are important. The language we use and the stories we tell have great significance to all involved.
See the guide
Recognising the complexity, and gravity, of the number of reviews currently ongoing in the mental health sector, Mental Health Coordinating Council has compiled this status update on the most significant ongoing projects, reviews and gap analyses.
This resource page aims to streamline the information to make it as easy as possible for our members to stay up-to-date on projects that have the potential to shape the future of the sector. Check back for updates as projects and reviews progress.
Under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, states and territories have committed to undertaking further analysis of psychosocial support gaps outside of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Psychosocial Project Group has been established as a time limited group to progress this gap analysis. The outcome of their work will be used to inform future arrangements for provision of these supports.
Health Policy Analysis has been selected as the primary supplier to lead the analysis, with assistance from the University of Queensland on aspects relating to the National Mental Health Service Planning Framework. MHCC CEO Dr Evelyne Tadros has met with HPA and will be involved in a number of workshops during 2023. Through Community Mental Health Australia and Mental Health Australia, MHCC will continue to engage in advocacy opportunities. We are also looking to other National Peaks MIFA and APA to consolidate our voice.
A website to house information and updates on the work of the Project Group is now live on the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care site.
Public policy consultant and Black Dog Institute Board Member David McGrath recently conducted an Unmet Needs Report for Psychosocial Support Services in South Australia. NSW Ministry of Health has contracted David McGrath to conduct a similar analysis in NSW.
The NSW Mental Health Branch, Ministry of Health has engaged David McGrath to conduct the NSW Psychosocial Research Project, which will examine unmet need for psychosocial supports in NSW outside of the NDIS.
A Psychosocial Research Project Advisory Group has been set up as part of the review to:
MHCC’s CEO sits on the NSW Psychosocial Research Project Advisory Group and will inform this process. It is understood the work of the gap analysis will help inform the upcoming procurement process for the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) and Community Living Supports (CLS) psychosocial support programs.
The NSW Legislative Council Inquiry was established in July 2023 to inquire into and report on the equity, accessibility and appropriate delivery of outpatient and community mental health care in NSW.
The wide-ranging Inquiry will examine a broad scoop of issues related to mental health in NSW.
The Inquiry will examine issues ranging from workforce to access to outpatient mental health services, Community Treatment Orders, benefits and risks of online and telehealth services, accessibility and cultural safety of mental health services for First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disability and young people. The inquiry will also look at alternatives to police for emergency responses.
In response to the Inquiry, MHCC sought feedback from the sector on the issues raised in the terms of reference. These perspectives have formed the basis of our submission to the Inquiry.
This gap analysis of ambulatory care and clinical services was proposed by the Mental Health Alliance to examine specialised mental health care provided by public community mental health care services and hospital based out-patient ambulatory care services. It does not include psychosocial services.
The review was endorsed and prioritised by Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson and sponsored by Deputy Secretary Health System Strategy and Patient Experience Deb Wilcox.
Minister Jackson has indicated she wants to reduce and avoid duplicating services funded federally, and is undertaking this comprehensive analysis of clinical service gaps. In addition, the Minister is expecting the NSW Psychosocial Research Project to identify deficiencies in public community-based mental health services and where money should be spent.
This review is scheduled to be completed in November 2023.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten announced a review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in October 2022.
The NDIS Review is looking into the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS. It will also look at ways to make the market and workforce more responsive, supportive and sustainable.
MHCC provided a response to the NDIS Review, supporting a submission made by the Australian Psychosocial Alliance. Our submission draws out additional areas of interest, including issues around regulated and unregistered providers, workforce issues and concerns around gaps in the availability of Tier 2 Psychosocial Support Programs.
