A fly-in fly-out psychologists and tele-psychologists program is to be introduced into regional and remote parts of NSW as a way of supporting the mental health of local students.
Announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the new service is part of an $88.4 million mental health allocation that also includes a commitment to provide every public high school with one full-time counsellor or psychologist and one student support officer.
Ms Berejiklian said a successful trial of fly-in fly-out psychologists had been held and the service would become permanent from next year.
“Students across NSW have shown incredible courage and resilience having been impacted by COVID-19, bushfires and drought,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It is incredibly important students have access to mental health support in a timely manner,” she said.
Ms Berejiklian said the program would expand the pool of psychologists in locations where there was a limited supply of casual or temporary school counselling staff.
Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor said the new service would ensure students had greater access to help and support.
“This means students in remote communities will now be able to get tailored face-to-face specialist support to complement the existing local, virtual and community-based services,” Mrs Taylor said.
