An August meeting of the Health and Mental Health Ministers from around the country agreed to release a The National Unmet Needs Report .

This report estimates the level of unmet need for psychosocial support outside of the National Disability Insurance Scheme using the National Mental Health Services Planning Framework. For us it confirms that the appalling level of unmet need in the South Australia is correct. 

The report was endorsed by the Psychosocial Project Group (a committee of Commonwealth, State and Territory bureaucrats) in May 2024 but was only released at the Mental Health Ministers Meeting in August 2024 after intense lobbying from the sector.

So including the whole population, the figures are: 

Number of people requiring but not receiving psychosocial support in Australia
from Tables 49 and 51
Severe Moderate TOTAL
Age 12-24 99,890 138,510 238,400
Age 25-64 130,630 124,610 255,240
Age 65+ 54,970 78,290 133,260
Total 285,490 341,410 626,900

 

Hours (‘000) of psychosocial support needed but not provided (Tables 53 and 55)
Severe Moderate Total
Age 12-24 4,207 2,124 6,331
Age 25-64 9,860 631 10,491
Age 65+ 3,270 273 3,543
TOTAL 17,337 3,028 20,365

Given the sheer numbers of individuals and families who are unable to get the support they need, it is no surprise that hospital-based crisis and acute care services across the country are under pressure.

In the report in appendix G there is a reconciliation that shows that the numbers derived in the National Report are consistent with the numbers derived in the SA Unmet Needs Report which found that 19000 South Australians with severe mental illness have unmet need for support.

The National Health and Mental Health Ministers resolved to meet regularly and to continue to progress this issue. The Ministers noted the tireless advocacy of the sector on this issue and agreed to work with mental health stakeholders to develop a robust plan for future psychosocial support arrangements.