For the first time, South Australia was ranked the number one performing economy in CommSec’s State of the States report twice. But we still can’t find money to invest in mental health services.

The big mental health announcement in the 2024-25 State Budget was $5 million over four years to support youth mental health services, including an expansion of child and adolescent virtual urgent care services, mental health workshops, and support for carers and families of those with eating disorders. 

This is broken down as  $1.1 million per annum for the expansion of child and adolescent virtual urgent care service at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Network to 9am–9pm 7 days a week. There was $150 00 for 2024-25 and 2025-26 budget to support parents of children and teens. Also, Eating Disorders Families Australia received $150 000 in 2024-25 and 2025-26 to support carers and families of those with eating disorders through education services, online support groups and webinars.

Overall the State Government has spent $219million since the election on mental health however most of that has been in 108 mental health beds across the health system. None of this to address the unmet needs of 19 000 South Australians with complex mental health needs to live well in the community and avoid crisis.

The MHCSA welcomes the funding in youth mental health but acknowledges this is barely a drop in what we need. We have South Australians of all ages who need investment in services that will keep them well. 

South Australia has led the country in being able to say how much we need to fix our mental health crisis and unfortunately this budget does not deliver. There is $1.6bn to increase efficiency in health services, but that is not going towards a mental health system that keeps all people out of crisis.

What we are seeing is funding go back in to clinical services which are:

  • Noarlunga Hospital ($49.8 million) to deliver 72 additional mental health rehabilitation beds and mental health services.
  •  Kingscote Hospital ($6.2 million) progressing into construction focusing on Emergency Departments, additional mental health services or asset upgrades.
  • CAHLN  to co-design new 24 bed Mental Health Rehabilitation Facility at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital with lived experience consumers and community and cultural leaders.
  • Evaluate the SA Police Mental Health Co-responder trial.
  • Commence construction of a six-bed emergency extended care unit, a six bed sub-acute mental health unit and a two-bed drug and alcohol withdrawal unit at the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service, in line with the government’s election commitments.

You can read the SACOSS budget response here.