In 2020 alone, general practises in Gippsland provided 14,975 referrals for psychology, inferring that use of local mental health services is at an all-time high.

More than $16 million was invested in mental health services across the region in the 2021/22 financial year, with Gippsland Primary Health Network reporting more people are accessing mental health services than ever before.

Gippsland PHN disclosed that the number of clients assessing Gippsland PHN-funded Primary Mental Health care services increased from 2516 in 2019/20 to 4659 clients in 2020/21.

Gippsland PHN priority issues papers, released last week, revealed that 22 per cent of Gippsland general practice patients had an active mental health diagnosis in 2022, with an estimated 9000 Gippslanders suffering from a severe mental illness.

They also revealed that more than half of presentations to a doctor in secondary school clinics were related to mental health issues.

Gippsland PHN chief executive, Amanda Proposch, said the two priority issues papers provided valuable data on mental health and wellbeing across the region and informed service commissioning.

“Our aim is for the commissioning process to be informed by best practice and through consultation with people who have lived experience,” Ms Proposch said.

“Programs are delivered in a way that meets needs and aims to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people living in Gippsland.”

Despite the substantial injection into mental health services across Gippsland, significant gaps and access to timely and affordable mental health services across Gippsland, including psychology and psychiatry, remain fundamental issues.

“We recognise the importance of mental health and wellbeing in our community, and we are committed to ensuring people can access the most appropriate services for their mental health needs at any given time,” Ms Proposch said.

The Department of Health is expected to publish a Mental Health and Wellbeing Statewide Service and Capital Plan by the end of the year, with regional plans set to follow by the end of 2023.

Further information on Gippsland PHN’s newest priority issues can be found at https://gphn.org.au/resources/.