Psychosocial Support

In reply to the Hon. S.L. GAME ().17 May 2023).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has advised:

Between 2018-19 and 2020-21, the funding for NGO commissioned mental health services under the former Liberal Government was cut by 19.2 per cent. The percentage of that cut would be even larger if accounting for inflation.

In contrast, the Malinauskas Labor government has increased funding for NGO commissioned mental health services by 11.8 per cent in just its first year.

Eligible South Australians with a primary psychosocial disability arising from a significant and permanent mental illness are able to access supports through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW) funded Housing and Accommodation Support Partnership (HASP) program provides integrated housing and support to people living with mental illness and psychosocial disability in SA. With the implementation of the NDIS, South Australians with a psychosocial disability, including those in the HASP program, may be eligible for the NDIS and have an NDIS funded plan which allows them to purchase supports to improve their daily living skills, health and wellbeing as well as maintaining their tenancies, relationships and employment similar to DHW funded psychosocial supports.

Our government has also established Regency Green, a service for people with psychosocial conditions who would otherwise be in hospital.