03-06-2025
'Alarming': hospital presentations for mental health hits all-time high
More than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues occurred in 2023-24.
This was the highest number on record and a 70 per cent rise in a decade.
The Hunter's rate per 100,000 people for these presentations was the third highest among the state's 14 health districts.
Health data shows 4970 mental health hospital admissions in the district over this period.
Bradley Dunn, CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, said the figures were "alarming".
"The fact that those numbers are climbing is concerning because it means there are simply more people unable to reach the level of care they need," Mr Dunn said.
He said the data would include "repeat attendance".
"You've also got a number who would never have required admission into hospital. They just don't know where else to go," he said.
"This is part of the problem. People are attending emergency departments because they don't have the information at hand about where to go to seek the right type of support."
Mr Dunn said this was "exactly why" the Evolve Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub was established at Charlestown.
The Newcastle Herald reported on Friday that the hub was officially opened to honour the life of Kahi Simon, who took his life at age 20.
More than 480 suicides occurred in the Hunter from 2019 to 2023, and 79 per cent of those who died were male.
Mr Dunn had seen similar reports every year from government and mental health organisations recommending safe havens or hubs, but not enough funding for them.
"That's why we took the initiative for the hub. We've had to come up with funding from the community.
"When people attend these hubs and get the support they need, you're reducing the amount of people attending ED [emergency departments].
"Inevitably, people who attend ED for mental health concerns often sit and wait until there's time available to be seen."
The Charlestown hub has information, advice, support and a referral program with psychologists, counsellors and follow-up support. It is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
The NSW government runs a Safe Haven in Hamilton East three days a week from 4pm to 9pm, but there have been repeated calls for this to expand due to gaps in services.
Dr Anand Swamy, mental health executive director with Hunter New England Health, highlighted the "Mental Health First Responders service".
Dr Swamy said it provided NSW Police and NSW Ambulance with "priority, 24-hour access to specialised mental health triage services via virtual care".
The service sought to help those in need and "avoid unnecessary transport and presentation to the emergency department".
On Monday, the ABC's Four Corners reported that doctors and frontline health workers warned they were witnessing the collapse of public mental healthcare in NSW.
This followed dozens of psychiatrists leaving the public system in NSW over pay, conditions and staff shortages. Eleven psychiatrists from the Hunter were among those intending to resign at the time.
The Hunter Region previously had about 40 psychiatrists working in public hospitals and community mental health teams.
The Minns government had since announced "35 new community mental health clinicians" across the state, with four in Hunter New England.
More than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues occurred in 2023-24.
This was the highest number on record and a 70 per cent rise in a decade.
The Hunter's rate per 100,000 people for these presentations was the third highest among the state's 14 health districts.
Health data shows 4970 mental health hospital admissions in the district over this period.
Bradley Dunn, CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, said the figures were "alarming".
"The fact that those numbers are climbing is concerning because it means there are simply more people unable to reach the level of care they need," Mr Dunn said.
He said the data would include "repeat attendance".
"You've also got a number who would never have required admission into hospital. They just don't know where else to go," he said.
"This is part of the problem. People are attending emergency departments because they don't have the information at hand about where to go to seek the right type of support."
Mr Dunn said this was "exactly why" the Evolve Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub was established at Charlestown.
The Newcastle Herald reported on Friday that the hub was officially opened to honour the life of Kahi Simon, who took his life at age 20.
More than 480 suicides occurred in the Hunter from 2019 to 2023, and 79 per cent of those who died were male.
Mr Dunn had seen similar reports every year from government and mental health organisations recommending safe havens or hubs, but not enough funding for them.
"That's why we took the initiative for the hub. We've had to come up with funding from the community.
"When people attend these hubs and get the support they need, you're reducing the amount of people attending ED [emergency departments].
"Inevitably, people who attend ED for mental health concerns often sit and wait until there's time available to be seen."
The Charlestown hub has information, advice, support and a referral program with psychologists, counsellors and follow-up support. It is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
The NSW government runs a Safe Haven in Hamilton East three days a week from 4pm to 9pm, but there have been repeated calls for this to expand due to gaps in services.
Dr Anand Swamy, mental health executive director with Hunter New England Health, highlighted the "Mental Health First Responders service".
Dr Swamy said it provided NSW Police and NSW Ambulance with "priority, 24-hour access to specialised mental health triage services via virtual care".
The service sought to help those in need and "avoid unnecessary transport and presentation to the emergency department".
On Monday, the ABC's Four Corners reported that doctors and frontline health workers warned they were witnessing the collapse of public mental healthcare in NSW.
This followed dozens of psychiatrists leaving the public system in NSW over pay, conditions and staff shortages. Eleven psychiatrists from the Hunter were among those intending to resign at the time.
The Hunter Region previously had about 40 psychiatrists working in public hospitals and community mental health teams.
The Minns government had since announced "35 new community mental health clinicians" across the state, with four in Hunter New England.
More than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues occurred in 2023-24.
This was the highest number on record and a 70 per cent rise in a decade.
The Hunter's rate per 100,000 people for these presentations was the third highest among the state's 14 health districts.
Health data shows 4970 mental health hospital admissions in the district over this period.
Bradley Dunn, CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, said the figures were "alarming".
"The fact that those numbers are climbing is concerning because it means there are simply more people unable to reach the level of care they need," Mr Dunn said.
He said the data would include "repeat attendance".
"You've also got a number who would never have required admission into hospital. They just don't know where else to go," he said.
"This is part of the problem. People are attending emergency departments because they don't have the information at hand about where to go to seek the right type of support."
Mr Dunn said this was "exactly why" the Evolve Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub was established at Charlestown.
The Newcastle Herald reported on Friday that the hub was officially opened to honour the life of Kahi Simon, who took his life at age 20.
More than 480 suicides occurred in the Hunter from 2019 to 2023, and 79 per cent of those who died were male.
Mr Dunn had seen similar reports every year from government and mental health organisations recommending safe havens or hubs, but not enough funding for them.
"That's why we took the initiative for the hub. We've had to come up with funding from the community.
"When people attend these hubs and get the support they need, you're reducing the amount of people attending ED [emergency departments].
"Inevitably, people who attend ED for mental health concerns often sit and wait until there's time available to be seen."
The Charlestown hub has information, advice, support and a referral program with psychologists, counsellors and follow-up support. It is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
The NSW government runs a Safe Haven in Hamilton East three days a week from 4pm to 9pm, but there have been repeated calls for this to expand due to gaps in services.
Dr Anand Swamy, mental health executive director with Hunter New England Health, highlighted the "Mental Health First Responders service".
Dr Swamy said it provided NSW Police and NSW Ambulance with "priority, 24-hour access to specialised mental health triage services via virtual care".
The service sought to help those in need and "avoid unnecessary transport and presentation to the emergency department".
On Monday, the ABC's Four Corners reported that doctors and frontline health workers warned they were witnessing the collapse of public mental healthcare in NSW.
This followed dozens of psychiatrists leaving the public system in NSW over pay, conditions and staff shortages. Eleven psychiatrists from the Hunter were among those intending to resign at the time.
The Hunter Region previously had about 40 psychiatrists working in public hospitals and community mental health teams.
The Minns government had since announced "35 new community mental health clinicians" across the state, with four in Hunter New England.
More than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues occurred in 2023-24.
This was the highest number on record and a 70 per cent rise in a decade.
The Hunter's rate per 100,000 people for these presentations was the third highest among the state's 14 health districts.
Health data shows 4970 mental health hospital admissions in the district over this period.
Bradley Dunn, CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, said the figures were "alarming".
"The fact that those numbers are climbing is concerning because it means there are simply more people unable to reach the level of care they need," Mr Dunn said.
He said the data would include "repeat attendance".
"You've also got a number who would never have required admission into hospital. They just don't know where else to go," he said.
"This is part of the problem. People are attending emergency departments because they don't have the information at hand about where to go to seek the right type of support."
Mr Dunn said this was "exactly why" the Evolve Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub was established at Charlestown.
The Newcastle Herald reported on Friday that the hub was officially opened to honour the life of Kahi Simon, who took his life at age 20.
More than 480 suicides occurred in the Hunter from 2019 to 2023, and 79 per cent of those who died were male.
Mr Dunn had seen similar reports every year from government and mental health organisations recommending safe havens or hubs, but not enough funding for them.
"That's why we took the initiative for the hub. We've had to come up with funding from the community.
"When people attend these hubs and get the support they need, you're reducing the amount of people attending ED [emergency departments].
"Inevitably, people who attend ED for mental health concerns often sit and wait until there's time available to be seen."
The Charlestown hub has information, advice, support and a referral program with psychologists, counsellors and follow-up support. It is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
The NSW government runs a Safe Haven in Hamilton East three days a week from 4pm to 9pm, but there have been repeated calls for this to expand due to gaps in services.
Dr Anand Swamy, mental health executive director with Hunter New England Health, highlighted the "Mental Health First Responders service".
Dr Swamy said it provided NSW Police and NSW Ambulance with "priority, 24-hour access to specialised mental health triage services via virtual care".
The service sought to help those in need and "avoid unnecessary transport and presentation to the emergency department".
On Monday, the ABC's Four Corners reported that doctors and frontline health workers warned they were witnessing the collapse of public mental healthcare in NSW.
This followed dozens of psychiatrists leaving the public system in NSW over pay, conditions and staff shortages. Eleven psychiatrists from the Hunter were among those intending to resign at the time.
The Hunter Region previously had about 40 psychiatrists working in public hospitals and community mental health teams.
The Minns government had since announced "35 new community mental health clinicians" across the state, with four in Hunter New England.
