newy.com.au – Hunter residents who call Triple Zero during a mental health crisis will soon be able to receive specialist clinical assessment and support under a new statewide model backed by more than $270 million over 10 years.

In the Newcastle local government area, more than one in 10 people reported a long-term mental health condition, including depression or anxiety, in the 2021 Census. The reform was announced by Swansea MP Yasmin Catley, who holds the Police and Hunter portfolios, and Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson.

Under the model, people who call Triple Zero during a mental health crisis can be connected to a dedicated team of mental health experts. The team will assess their needs, provide immediate support and help connect them with counselling, local mental health services or a new specialist response team within NSW Ambulance.

The funding will establish a statewide Virtual Mental Health Hub within NSW Ambulance and eight Mental Health Acute Assessment Teams in areas of high need. The government has not specified whether one of the eight teams will be based in the Hunter.

Each acute assessment team will pair a paramedic with a specialist mental health nurse and operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week. The teams will provide in-person assessments, connect people with ongoing care and arrange transport to a NSW Health facility when required.

The virtual hub will provide real-time clinical advice to frontline responders attending mental health incidents, while more than 100 new full-time roles will be created as the model is introduced.

Ms Jackson said people should continue to call Triple Zero in an emergency.

“The important thing to remember is that there is no change for the community, you should still call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. The difference is that now when people call Triple Zero (000) during a mental health crisis, they can be connected with clinical support earlier and cared for in the least restrictive way possible,” she said.

Police will continue to attend mental health incidents when they are considered the most appropriate agency, with community and emergency worker safety remaining the priority.

“It is critical that people experiencing mental health emergencies get the care they need,” Ms Catley said.

“Police will always respond when a police response is required to ensure public safety and the safety of those responding. That does not change.”

The model was developed following a series of mental health emergencies that highlighted problems with coordination across emergency services. It responds to recommendations from the Bondi Junction Coronial Inquest, the NSW parliamentary inquiry into community mental health care and a NSW Police Force review of responses to mental health incidents.

NSW Health, NSW Police, unions, advocacy groups, consumers, carers, clinicians, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and families affected by mental health emergencies have been involved in consultations. The approach was also shaped by the United Kingdom’s Right Care Right Person program.

The new system will complement rather than replace the Police Ambulance and Clinical Early Response program, known as PACER, which will continue to support police and paramedics responding to mental health incidents in the community.

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call Triple Zero. People needing specialist mental health care can contact the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. The free service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides advice and referrals to local services.