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About the sector

The community managed mental health sector is a key provider of mental health services and supports to people in the community.

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Annual Reports

Find detailed information on the work we do to support the community managed mental health sector.

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Latest news

Catch up on all the latest news and stories from the community-based mental health sector.

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Sector events

Discover a range of ways to connect and learn through our events, forums and talks.

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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.

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Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Feeling safe and empowered to speak up in the workplace is even more important for mental health settings.

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Mental Health Peer Navigation

New accredited training for peer workers to support consumers with navigating the mental health system for their recovery journey.

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Customised training

Contact us to design a professional development solution for your workforce and organisation.

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Our members

Our members are community managed mental health organisations, large and small, local and NSW-wide service providers.

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Become a member

Join a strong network of community-based mental health organisations delivering better outcomes for people in New South Wales.

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The Evidence Base

The growing evidence for community-based mental health support

When people can access the right support at the right time in their community, the outcomes are better for individuals, families and the broader health system.

A growing body of evidence from NSW shows that community-based mental health services and supports improve outcomes for people living with mental health challenges while reducing pressure on hospitals and emergency departments, and provide cost-effective care. This evidence reinforces the case for greater investment in community-based mental health care so more people can access the support they need, when they need it.

The evaluations and reports below highlight what works and why it matters.

Bondi Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC) Evaluation

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY LIVING AUSTRALIA

  • PARC costs a third of inpatient care ($146,000 vs $467,000 p.a.);
  • reduces emergency department presentations by 33-44%;
  • personal recovery scores improved by an average of 8.23 points on
    the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS-DS), with the greatest gains in
    psychological recovery and “looking forward”.

 

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Evaluation of the Resolve Program

FLOURISH AUSTRALIA

  • ‘Resolve’ program cut hospital admissions by 54%;
  • reduced time in hospital by 66%;
  • reduced NSW Health service use by 64% (measured in National
    Weighted Activity Units).
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Evaluation of NSW Community-based Mental Health Programs: Community Living Supports (CLS) and Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI)

NSW MINISTRY OF HEALTH

  • CLS delivers a net saving of $86,000 per person over 5 years;
  • mental health hospital admissions dropped 74%;
  • reduced time in hospital by 74.8% over two years following program entry.

 

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Evaluation of NSW Community-based Mental Health Programs: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative Plus (HASI+)

NSW MINISTRY OF HEALTH

• 42% of people exiting HASI Plus transitioned to less intensive supports;
• HASI Plus reduced hospital costs by offsetting 35–85% of the average
program cost through fewer and shorter hospital admissions;
• the average annual cost of HASI Plus was $186,011 per person,
substantially less than the cost of supporting someone with a similar
clinical profile in hospital.

 

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