Over $1 billion is allocated to Local Health Districts to provide core mental health services, including:

• Child, adult, forensic and older persons inpatient services – acute and non-acute
• Community mental health services for children and adolescents, adults and older people
• Family and carer support programs
• Rehabilitation services
• Emergency services – within emergency departments and community based
• Supported accommodation services
• NGO partnerships

In addition, funding is also centrally provided to NGOs to provide services or advocate for improved services, and to research institutes and universities to assist in research and services development opportunities. 

There has been significant funding enhancements in the last 5 years to boost access to and the provision of a broader range of mental health services in NSW. The funding enhancements include:

NSW: A New Direction for Mental Health Services 2006 - 2011 The $939 million five year plan consisted of:

• More than $338 million in new funding for mental health programs over the next five years, $279 million will be dedicated towards community based mental health services;
• $263 million in additional funding (previously announced); and
• $338 million for capital works to open an additional 300 mental health inpatient beds

This package built upon the $241 million funding enhancement in 2004/5 for:

• Additional funding for acute mental health care beds and forensic services
• Additional supported accommodation places;
• More community-based mental health professionals, including nurses;
• More child psychiatrists and inpatient programs for children; and
• Additional Aboriginal mental health workers. 

The NSW Drug and Alcohol Budget in 2009/10 is $140 million.

$109 million of the total budget is allocated to Local Health Districts to provide treatment services. Services provided by frontline drug and alcohol workers include:

• Pharmacotherapy services;
• Detoxification and withdrawal management services
• Rehabilitation and counselling services;
• Case management for drug and alcohol users seeking assistance; and
• Consultation liaison services to ensure that hospital’s have timely access to specialist staff to assist in the management of patients presenting with mental health and drug and alcohol problems.

In addition to those direct services provided by Local Health Districts, the NSW Government provides funding for non-government organisations and other agencies to also provide:

• residential rehabilitation services;
• education and prevention services; and
• encouraging pharmacists to engage with the pharmacotherapy program;

The 1999 Drug Summit and subsequent enhancement funding has led to an increase in the array of treatment options for people suffering from drug and alcohol problems.      

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Charter for mental health care in NSW

1. Respect human rights.
2. Are compassionate and sensitive to the needs of the individuals they serve.
3. Foster positive attitudes to mental health in the larger community.
4. Promote positive mental health.
5. Encourage true consumer involvement at all levels of service delivery and policy development.
6. Provide effective treatment and care across the lifespan.
7. Are widely accessible to people with mental health needs.
8. Provide care in the least restrictive environment, consistent with treatment requirements.
9. Provide effective and comprehensive prevention programs across the lifespan.
10. Promote 'living well' with mental illness.
11. Address quality of life issues such as accommodation, education, work and income, leisure and sport, home and family and other relationships.
12. Use language that reduces stigma, discrimination, or negativity for those affected and their families.
13. Respect and are responsive to the diversity in lifestyle, sexuality and sexual preference.
14. Are culturally sensitive and appropriate to the needs of the individuals they serve.
15. Encourage and support self-help.