05 July 2007

New initiatives to tackle Aboriginal mental health issues

The NSW Government will spend more than $21 million to improve the mental health of Aboriginal people and provide support for families and carers.

Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch today launched the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Well Being Policy 2006-2010 at Charles Sturt University's Wagga Wagga campus.

Mr Lynch said the rate of suicide and self-harm in Aboriginal communities was at least twice the national rate.

He said New South Wales was taking the national lead to build an Aboriginal mental health work force.

"But we recognise that much more needs to be done," Mr Lynch said.

"A key part of this policy is the training and deployment of Aboriginal people as qualified mental health workers," he said.

"By employing and training Aboriginal people who know the communities and are likely to stay in them, we can make inroads to prevent, intervene early and treat mental illness," Mr Lynch said.

"Already, 18 Aboriginal mental health worker trainees are being trained with an additional 10 places to be rolled out in 2008-09," he said.

Mr Lynch joined the trainees today.

"These trainees are full-time employees of the Area Health Service and are studying for their degree at Charles Sturt University," he said.

Other initiatives outlined in the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Well Being Policy 2006-2010 include:

• School Link Phase 3 "Mental Distress and Well Being in Aboriginal Young People: Strength in a Culture" - a course for counsellors, mental health, drug and alcohol workers and professionals
• Places for Aboriginal people under the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative and the investigation of ways to make the Program more culturally-appropriate
• Cultural awareness training for non-government organisations through the NSW Family and Carer Mental Health Program
• Co-operative Agreements between Area Health Service Mental Health Services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to deliver better services.

Mr Lynch said the recent NSW Budget provided record funding in mental health.

"For the first time, the State's mental health budget has exceeded $1 billion," he said.

"This shows the Iemma Government's determination to tackle mental illness with early intervention and prevention as well as treatment," Mr Lynch said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au