Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, and Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies today said the funding over the next two years will ensure individuals, families and businesses have access to 44,000 hours of crucial mental health support close to home.

Mr Barilaro said putting mental health support at the centre of the State’s response to the drought is critical to ensure communities build resilience to brave it through the current severe conditions. 

“Our farmers and their families are under daily pressure to feed stock, operate a business and keep the household running and there is no doubt this takes its toll your wellbeing,” Mr Barilaro said.

The new mental health positions, which build on the existing Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, will be based in the Western, Hunter New England, Murrumbidgee, Nepean Blue Mountains, South Western Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Districts. 

Mrs Davies said the funding will also provide vital education for existing frontline support staff and ten local wellbeing events to be held in towns across the State.

“People with lived experience of life on the land will lend a hand at events to start those conversations that might not otherwise be had. This is about reducing stigma, providing hope and support, and most importantly recovery,” Mrs Davies said.

The community events will be held in Dubbo, Yeoval, Narromine, Nyngan, Bourke, Coonamble, Walgett, Coonabarabran, Mudgee and Gilgrandra.

This funding commitment is on top of $4 million already being provided to regional NGO’s to support communities facing natural disaster and drought.

For crisis support please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14. For more information contact the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or visit www.crrmh.com.au.