Statement addressing release of psychosocial support report

The ‘Analysis of unmet need for psychosocial supports outside of the National Disability Insurance Scheme - Final Report’ has now been released.

The report provides a step in helping to understand the unmet need for psychosocial supports in our communities.  

Australian Health Ministers have acknowledged the limitations of the analysis, noting these are point-in-time estimates of psychosocial unmet need and based on ‘ideal’ estimates of need, modelled using the National Mental Health Services Planning Framework.

Governments are considering the Final Report and its implications for future reform and investments in psychosocial supports, in line with the National Agreement’s commitments and taking into consideration broader reforms.

This includes the Independent Review of the NDIS, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, and differences in service landscapes across jurisdictions.

As Western Australian representatives on the Psychosocial Project Group, the Mental Health Commission is committed to working with mental health stakeholders, including Aboriginal people and representatives with lived experience, to carefully consider the next steps for psychosocial support arrangements.

Future updates will be published on the Psychosocial Project Group webpage.