More than $100 million has been promised in the NSW budget to establish specialist mental health treatment teams for kids and teenagers across the state.
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Some 25 'Safeguards' teams will be staffed with skilled child and adolescent mental health clinicians, to provide community based support to kids in acute mental health distress and their families.
The budget, to be handed down on Tuesday, includes $109.5 million over the next four years to set up the program in every local health district.
"This is a game changer in addressing mental health for children and teenagers," Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said on Monday.
"It's all about bringing the right care at the right time and in the right place to children, adolescents and their loved ones."
The clinicians will work with patients for six to eight weeks, providing support at home and school, before transitioning them into longer term mental health community-based support.
The government has also announced an additional $8.5 million for refugee and migrant support programs.
The funding, to be spent over three years, will enable the continuation of programs to help newcomers find work, pursue education, access support services and create community connections.
It comes as a $3 million program to lure migrants to settle in regional NSW launches on Monday.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
Australian Associated Press
