1 week Ago By Laura Rumbel, Jamieson Murphy
The Hunter will get five new or upgraded free mental health facilities if Labor wins the upcoming election, as part of a nationwide $1 billion commitment. Login or signup to continue reading Charlestown and Cessnock will get new Medicare mental health centres, Port Stephens will get a headspace, while the Newcastle and Cessnock headspaces will get significant upgrades to expand their capacity. Health Minister Mark Butler made the announcement in the battleground seat of Paterson, alongside the region's four federal Labor politicians.
Mr Butler said the funding was designed to fill the gaps in mental health support with high-quality and free services. "The walk-in centres don't require a doctor's referral and certainly don't require any payments, so you can leave your credit card at home," Mr Butler said. Data reveals the Hunter New England health district has recorded the most suicides in NSW over a decade , with more than 1331 between 2012 and 2021, which was 50 per cent more than the next highest health district.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said the announcement was a "game-changer" that would "change the mental health landscape in Port Stephens". "So many people living out here have said their number one issue is mental health," Ms Swanson said. Assistant Minister for Mental Health Emma McBride said that at the moment, people aged 12 to 25 in Port Stephens were forced to travel to Maitland or Newcastle to access headspace services.
The Newcastle headspace will be upgraded to a headspace Plus, which will be able to help young people with complex mental health conditions such as eating or personality disorders. The headspace outreach office in Cessnock will be upgraded to a full headspace centre. Labor was unable to put a specific figure on the Hunter mental health commitments, and locations for the new facilities had yet to be determined, however, Mr Butler was "very confident" they could be delivered quickly.
The $1 billion commitment includes $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres, $200 million for 58 new or upgraded headspace services. Labor will also put $90 million towards 1200 mental health professional training places and $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs. Mental Health Australia CEO Carolyn Nikoloski said the announcement was a "landmark investment" that recognised the challenges the community was facing.
"It also responds to some of the real pressures the sector is facing, by growing the pipeline of the mental health workforce," Ms Nikoloski said. Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636.
Laura Rumbel is a journalist who has always called Maitland home. She has been with the Maitland Mercury since 2022, and is passionate about all areas of local news. Laura Rumbel is a journalist who has always called Maitland home.
She has been with the Maitland Mercury since 2022, and is passionate about all areas of local news. Newcastle Herald news director. Former Tamworth concrete cowboy and Parliament House press gallery hack.
Interested in any and all yarns.Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@newcastleherald.
com.au Newcastle Herald news director. Former Tamworth concrete cowboy and Parliament House press gallery hack.
Interested in any and all yarns.Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@newcastleherald.
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