Wednesday September 6th 2023
Today, BEING – Mental Health Consumers makes its submission to the NSW parliamentary inquiry into Equity, accessibility and appropriate delivery of outpatient and community mental health care in New South Wales.
The inquiry, chaired by Dr Amanda Cohn MLC (Greens) is specifically framed around the experience of consumers and their carers.
BEING’s submission includes 16 recommendations covering: the affordability of and access to services, increased involvement of peers with lived experience, holistic care teams, telehealth, Safe Havens, tailored services for priority groups (eg youth, CALD) and the role of the police in mental health crisis response.
CEO Priscilla Brice says of the submission, “BEING welcomes the NSW parliament’s decision to conduct this inquiry. With the impact of the pandemic still being felt by the community, combined with the current cost of living pressures and the ongoing housing crisis, the need for effective mental health care in NSW has never been greater. These pressures have further exposed the weaknesses of the current system. The breadth and scope of our submission illustrate the urgent work that needs to be done, in particular in reforming police response to mental health incidents and the benefits of empowering lived experience advocates to take the lead in decision-making to ensure services are efficient and fit for purpose.”
As part of the inquiry, hearings are scheduled across multiple dates in November before the inquiry will retire to reach its conclusions and consider recommendations.
Click here to read BEING’s submission in full.
