MEMBER for Mallee Helen Dalton has criticised the funding given to mental health services in regional NSW after the State Government handed down its budget this week.
Mrs Dalton said the government needed to provide more incentives to encourage counsellors to migrate to and stay in regional towns.
“In the budget, what we have is funding for a webinar online program, telehealth and more short-term referral services,” she said.
“We have plenty of referral services in small towns — the problem is there is a lack of professionals to refer people to. When you’re in crisis, you want to talk face-to-face with a real person.
“But we have children at high risk waiting three months for an appointment. It’s not good enough.”
State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor have committed $36.4 million to response and recovery specialists across regional and rural NSW.
“We know families and people have been doing it tough in these areas, and facing drought, bushfires, COVID-19 and now a mice plague, and this package will offer continued mental health support to those in need,” Mr Perrotet said.
