A new digital mental health support program will be made free for adults experiencing complex mental illness and trauma.
SANE Australia has been awarded $27.3m over three years through the Federal Government’s Digital Mental Health Program for the national roll out of a first-of-its-kind digital psychosocial recovery program.
SANE is a national mental health organisation that provides free digital and telehealth services including personalised counselling, peer support and 24/7 community connection for free via any internet-enabled device.
People experiencing mental health concerns can refer themselves into the program, or a referral can be submitted by a health professional.
The guided recovery program is specifically designed for people with complex mental health issues, including those too complex for GP management alone, people stepping down from hospital into the primary care system, people waiting to access psychological support through a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and those who receive NDIS support for their mental health needs.
SANE Chief Executive Rachel Green said the Federal Government investment was an enormous step forward for delivering mental health services to those living with long-term or severe mental health conditions.
“There’s around five million Australians living with complex mental health needs and at least 500,000 are missing out on support services that could dramatically change the trajectory of their life,” Ms Green said.
“The need to find new ways of supporting this community has never been greater, and there’s strong evidence that digital mental health support services are just as effective as face-to-face services, more economical and rapidly scalable to overcome geographic or workforce challenges.”
The recovery program is currently available in most parts of Australia and will be made free nationally from July 2025.
The support services include:
- A 14-week guided recovery program of one-on-one recovery-focussed counselling or peer support.
- A Semi-guided recovery club including online group session, tailored recovery resources and peer support.
- A Self-guided recovery community where people can connect with peers within a safe, moderated environment.
According to the latest Department of Health data, 15% of people aged 16 and over in WA have been diagnosed with anxiety, while 12% have a diagnosis of depression and 16% experience stress-related conditions.
The number of people diagnosed is higher among people aged 16 to 44 years of age.
The AMA’s 2024 public hospital report card showed mental health presentations in WA emergency departments have risen almost 250% in the last 20 years.
RELATED: Emergency departments facing mental health tsunami
Announcing SANE’s funding as part of a larger investment into digital mental health support, Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said everyone deserves access to mental health care at a time and place that suits them.
SANE’s free support services are delivered by specialist mental health workers and accessible via any internet-enabled device, as well as telephone support for those without internet access.
Other mental health services receiving Federal Government funding include:
- Blue Knot Foundation
- Butterfly Foundation
- E-Hub Health
- Headspace
- LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
- MQ Health Pty Limited: MindSpot
- Orygen: MOST
- PANDA National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline
- Parent-Infant Research Institute
- ReachOut Australia
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