Lifeline Central West has been supported with additional funding to ensure people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in NSW's central west have access to vital mental health support.
NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson has approved an additional grant of $20,000 to the service to help community members struggling with trauma find essential support and connection.
Lifeline Central West is the representative body of Western PTSD Support and will use the funding to:
- recruit qualified and local clinical facilitators, reducing the need and cost to bring Sydney-based facilitators up to the community
- establish a second support group, designed as a peer-led programme connecting lived-experience volunteers to the group
- promote the new group to the wider healthcare community
- expand the service to a broader geography and increase the number of meetings held
Western PTSD Support aims to improve local mental health outcomes and ensure timely access to mental health and social supports services for people living with PTSD in the region.
Lifeline Central West, which was established in 1980, provides services supporting people with complex needs in rural and remote communities, including those experiencing homelessness and other forms of disadvantage.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving access to mental health care in our regional communities. That's why we're increasing funding for state mental health services and supporting local community organisations on the ground whenever we can.
"Post-traumatic stress disorder is the second most common mental health condition in Australia and is disproportionately experienced by veterans.
"Organisations like Lifeline offer support, connection and can provide lifesaving interventions for people who are facing unimaginable mental health challenges.
"We're proud to champion these community providers so they can focus on delivering essential and compassionate mental health support to the people who need it most."
Quotes attributable to Member for Orange Phil Donato:
"I thank Minister Jackson for her ongoing support of mental health services here in the Orange electorate.
"Lifeline is a long established and highly respected mental health support service here in the Central West, and this additional funding will enhance their capability of delivering a professionally led PTSD-specific service.
"Most of the broadly accessible PTSD-specific programs are held in and around metropolitan Sydney, which is counter-intuitive to the effective and successful treatment of those living with PTSD here in regional NSW. A locally based service will provide locals with greater ease of access and encourage participation in PTSD services."
Quotes attributable to Stephen Lawrence MLC:
"Lifeline Central West does a fantastic job prioritising the mental health needs of people in their communities, but we know these services can face significant behind the scenes costs that cannot always be met with fundraising alone.
"Thanks to this $20,000 grant, this fantastic initiative can expand and ensure we don't let people in the regions fall through the cracks."
Quotes attributable to Lifeline Central West CEO Stephanie Robinson:
"It is so important we have the resources to meet the needs of the community throughout our vast footprint. Groups like ours provide support, care and connection to those that, without it, may be left struggling to navigate life alone and struggling with isolation and loneliness.
"This group provides a safe place to be seen, heard and supported by others who understand.
"We welcome this funding and appreciate that each and every community has individual needs, and they are often met by supporting those that know them well."
Quotes attributable to Western PTSD Support Coordinator Andrew Greig:
"We at Western PTSD Support are incredibly grateful for this funding and will use every cent in our efforts to help those living with PTSD, including veterans, first responders, nurses, and anyone else who needs it.
"With PTSD, when the rubber hits the road, appropriate support is critical and urgent. Previously, we have been focusing our energy on those at immediate risk.
"We aim to use this funding to help us provide greater services geographically, and to those who require less urgent care, in an attempt to manage their condition earlier."
"The effects of PTSD can put a strain on individuals and their families. We aim to build on this brilliant opportunity to offer more services so that we can ease the pain earlier and for more members of the western NSW Community."
