Key themes in Central and Eastern Sydney
Analysis for the Central and Eastern Sydney region utilised written notes from one consultation in Central Sydney (attended by around 48 people) with photos of the butcher’s paper also available. From the materials available the following key themes were distilled:
- Awareness and community support, improved community awareness of mental health, local partnerships and innovative community programs
- Peer workforce
- Access to service, improved access and awareness, short-term supports, increased Indigenous services
- Funding, funding for services is generally short-term – need long-term funding
- Education, lack of education in schools, need cultural awareness training, improved awareness of different types of illnesses
In addition, the following key themes emerged in response to the questions: what is working well, what are the challenges, and what are the priorities?
What is working well in Central and Eastern Sydney?
| What is working well? | Qualifiers/examples |
| Awareness |
Awareness of mental health, and diverse communities; People are more aware of services |
| Co-design |
Increase in co-design with mental health and peer workers |
| Crisis care | Shift in culture; Shifted worry about crisis care |
| Connections with young people | Early intervention with young people and children |
| Community engagement | Local partnerships; Innovative community programs |
What are the challenges in Central and Eastern Sydney?
| What are the challenges? | Qualifiers/examples |
| Visibility of services | Knowing what is out there; Where to go for help is confusing |
| Access |
Lack of access to refuges for people experiencing DV; limited mental health sessions; Waiting lists; Telephone supports and accessing services is difficult; Lack of response from crisis team and local hospital; Aboriginal response in Aged Care has failed |
| Education | Lack of education in schools; Cultural awareness training |
| Workforce | Capacity and demand; Peer workforce scaled up |
| Funding | Funding for services and short-termism |
What are the priorities in Central and Eastern Sydney?
| What are the priorities? | Quailifiers/examples |
| Commissioning and collaboration | LHD; Government PHN |
| Funding | Long-term funding |
| Accessibility | Easy accessibility for services and awareness like a contact centre |
| Co-design and peer workforce |
Increasing co-design and peer workforce; Increase to other communities; People are the experts |
| Services for young people |
Specialised services for young adults; Using social media and online services; More services for young people and young carers; Infant and child and family mental health |
| Stigma and discrimination | Appropriate language and reduce stigma; Employers and discrimination |
| Planning | Planning at a systems level |
Download the PDF of Key Themes in Central and Eastern Sydney
The Mental Health Commission of New South Wales acknowledges the contribution of The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), who were engaged to conduct a qualitative data analysis for the mid-term review of Living Well.