Illawarra service providers and politicians have welcomed the NSW government's "once-in-a-generation" overhaul of mental healthcare service delivery.
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The state government this week gave mental health a $115 million funding boost over three years.
Living Well: A Strategic Plan for Mental Health Reform in NSW 2014-2024 was developed in response to the NSW Mental Health Commission's Strategic Plan for Mental Health.
It focuses on strengthening prevention and early intervention, with a stronger focus on services for children and young people.
There's also a greater focus on community-based care which includes a better balance of community and acute services. Where possible, this will mean that patients receiving long-term hospital care will be transferred into safe and secure community-based care.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Medicare Local mental health manager Dr Alex Hains said it was a step forward for the provision of mental health services.
"The move to emphasise the provision of treatment while people remain in homes and communities rather than hospital-based care is fantastic," he said.
"Evidence has long shown that clinically, community-based care is the most effective, and it's also the most cost-effective."
Dr Hains said the strategic plan put an emphasis on local decision-making, which would give Illawarra and Shoalhaven people the chance to influence how funds for mental health services were spent in their region.
"It's also identified the value of peer workers - those people who have their own life experience who are working alongside professionals and clients to help in their recovery," he said. "And it is encouraging the integration of mental health care with healthcare, and with other integrated services like education and housing, which will result in much improved outcomes for people who experience mental health problems in our region."
Kiama MP Gareth Ward also supported the reforms.
"Approximately one in five individuals will experience a mental illness in their life so these reforms are welcomed by the local community," he said.
"These reforms add to the already record investment by the NSW government into mental health, investment which is making a real difference for local people living with mental illness."
NSW Mental Health Commissioner John Feneley welcomed the move away from "crisis-driven care".
"I applaud [the government's] courage for making the radical shift that will allow our system to emphasise the promotion of wellbeing; the prevention of mental illness and the earliest possible intervention in the community when people do become unwell."
