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More than 180 mental health workers will be deployed across the state as part of a $73 million package to boost mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor today announced the NSW Government funding boost, which will help support the mental health and wellbeing of people across the state.
Ms Berejiklian said the additional mental health staff and new digital resources would ensure anyone who requires support is able to access it when they need it.
“We know how challenging the past few months have been. Many people have lost their jobs and all of us have had to change the way we live,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“During this time it is vital we deliver robust mental health services that fit the evolving needs of the community – this means employing more frontline workers and greater investment in remote technology.”
The NSW Government’s mental health support package includes:

• Over 180 additional specialist, community-based mental health clinicians and peer support workers;
• Expanding the virtual mental health program to all local health districts;
• Free access to Tresillian’s digital SleepWellBaby program;
• Capacity for 60,000 extra calls to the 1800 NSW Mental Health Line;
• Creation of pop-up mental health Safe Space sites, reducing pressure on emergency departments.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Government measures complement the Federal Government’s mental health plan and enhance the capacity to support people in their homes rather than in hospitals and emergency departments.
“The NSW Mental Health Line is staffed by specialist mental health clinicians who can provide immediate care and expert advice and make referrals to appropriate services, with this additional funding it will now be able to take an extra 60,000 calls,” Mrs Taylor said.
“In this time of extraordinary stress on the health system, we are preparing pop-up mental health Safe Space sites to divert people with mental health issues from emergency departments.”
Mr Perrottet said boosting technology for vulnerable people would have an immediate positive impact.
“Virtual services will connect specialist mental health clinicians with remote and at-risk populations where face-to-face service options are limited,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding will make a real difference to so many people who will be confronting an extremely difficult period in their lives at what is an extraordinarily challenging period.”
The NSW Government announced last month $6 million would be provided to Lifeline to ensure it is equipped to respond to the increased needs of the community throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
The NSW Government previously announced $800 million for NSW Health to support the health system including significantly increasing capacity in NSW public hospitals, particularly within ICUs.

The NSW Government has approved more than $100 million in Small Business Support Fund grants in just 10 days since the program opened.
More than 15,000 applications have already been received with more than 10,000 grants approved, and funding already hitting bank accounts of some applicants.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said it was vital small businesses severely impacted by the COVID-19 shutdowns could access the grants of up to $10,000 quickly.
“We wanted to provide rapid relief, and that’s certainly happening right now for thousands of struggling businesses in our communities,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Money is starting to flow in to bank accounts, often within a handful of days of application, and that’s relieving pressure with ongoing bills and cash flow, to keep businesses in business and people in jobs.
“Every business we help save means more people in jobs leading to a faster recovery.”
So far, cafes, bars and restaurants account for the most applications (22 per cent), followed by personal services like beauticians and hairdressers (18 per cent), store-based retailing (8 per cent) and sport and recreation businesses (6 per cent).
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said Service NSW was working around the clock to support businesses.
“We’re putting business and workers first by simplifying the application process. The response has been overwhelming, with 99 per cent giving it the thumbs up,” Mr Dominello said.
“This is another example of Service NSW using a digital platform to make life easier for customers. Applying for a grant is simple and easy, with money transferred within days.”
Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said small business was the heart and soul of the NSW economy and the grants would help save thousands of jobs.
“Every business we help save means more jobs and a faster recovery on the other side of this,” Mr Tudehope said.
“We’re supporting small business owners through this difficult time, with the grants helping to bridge the gap between the Commonwealth Government’s support measures such as JobKeeper.
“By alleviating some of the pressures on these businesses, we know we can help them reopen their doors as soon as possible and get people back into work.”
The grants are supported through the NSW Government’s $750 million Small Business Support Fund announced on April 3.
For more information on eligibility or to submit an application please visit www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.

The NSW Government is urging anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever;
• Cough;
• Tiredness (fatigue);
• Sore throat;
• Shortness of breath.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced there is now capacity to double the number of COVID-19 tests from around 4,000 tests per day to 8,000.
“NSW has one of the highest testing rates in the world and we want to see this boosted even further,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From today, anyone in NSW who has COVID-19 symptoms should come forward and get tested.”
“Testing is key to reducing community transmission and dealing with local breakouts – and this is critical if we are going to lift any restrictions.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW will also work to support higher volumes of testing over the weekend as well as during the week, through both the public and private health systems.
“We have seen a drop in the number of tests on the weekend but that doesn’t need to be the case – we are testing every day of the week and want people to come forward on Saturday and Sundays,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The more people that get tested the quicker we can identify cases, track their contacts and prevent community outbreaks.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said from today all people with symptoms of COVID-19 should come forward for testing.
“People with symptoms, including mild symptoms, are encouraged to be tested to ensure we identify as many cases of COVID-19 in the community as quickly as possible,” Dr Chant said.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms please:

• Contact your GP;
• Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222;
• Visit a NSW Health COVID-19 clinic.

The NSW Government is also urging all health care workers, aged care workers or workers in other high risk or residential care settings with symptoms to come forward immediately for testing, and to make sure their occupational status is noted so their test can be prioritised.
Similarly any people who live in a residential care setting, or have contact with health care, school or residential care settings with symptoms are particularly encouraged to come forward for testing, and to make their contact with these settings known.
The locations of COVID-19 clinics are available here:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics

Police have charged two people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 10 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:
• About 4am yesterday (Thursday 23 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were called to a hotel in Sydney’s CBD in relation to a loud party being held in one of the rooms. When officers arrived, there were only two people left in the room. One of those people – an 18-year-old man – admitted he was there “to hang out with friends”. Checks revealed the man had been previously issued with a PIN for breaching the Public Health Act. It will be alleged that as officers moved in to arrest him, he resisted and assaulted police, before being brought under control and taken to Day Street Police Station. The Punchbowl man was charged with resist officer in execution of duty, assault officer in execution of duty, and not comply with noticed direction. He was refused bail and appeared before Central Local Court yesterday, where he was given conditional bail. The man is due to re-appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on 4 June 2020.
• About 4.30pm, officers from the Mt Druitt Proactive Crime Team were patrolling when they stopped and spoke with three men at a shopping centre in Mt Druitt. Checks revealed one of the men, aged 31, had previously been given three PINS for breaching the Public Health Act. Once again, the man could not provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his home. He was subsequently charged with not comply with noticed direction and is due to appear before Mt Druitt Local Court at a future date.
Yesterday’s PINs include:
• About 8.50pm, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District stopped a vehicle on Sydney Street, Kempsey. The driver, a 32-year-old man, was spoken to by police and identified as someone who was required to be in self isolation. The man, who had previously been warned for similar breaches of the Public Health Act, the man was issued with a PIN.
• About 10.30am, officers attached to Surry Hills Police Area Command responded to reports a man was allegedly harassing members of the public at Albion Street, Surry Hills. On arrival, they spoke with a 50-year-old man who had received a warning several hours earlier for not having a valid excuse for being away from his registered address in Parramatta. He was fined $1000 and directed to return home. About 3.10pm, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command spoke to the man at Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross, and again he was unable to provide a reason for not being home. He was issued with a second PIN for failing to comply with ministerial directions.
• About 7pm, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling Catherine Hill Bay when they spoke with a man and woman, both aged 33. Neither were able to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. The woman had received a warning three days earlier (Monday 20 April 2020) and was issued with a PIN. The man was given a formal warning and directed to return home.
• About 11.50pm, officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command were conducting proactive patrols on Harold Street, Macquarie Fields, targeting drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour. Police approached two men after allegedly seeing one of them dispose of a knife. They were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for not being home at the time. Following inquiries, an 18-year-old was charged with custody of knife in public place and issued with a court attendance notice. He was given a formal warning for breaching COVID-19 restrictions. The second man, aged 23, was identified as having received a warning previously for not complying with ministerial directions and was issued with a PIN.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Police are appealing for information following the assault of three staff at Blacktown Railway Station yesterday.
About 1pm (Thursday 23 April 2020), police observed a female attempt to enter the station via the wide access barrier on the main concourse while smoking a cigarette.
A male member of staff approached to advise her that smoking is not allowed on the concourse, before the female spat onto the man’s face, stating “I have COVID” before walking through the ticket barrier.
At the same time, a male ran over to the scene, coughing and spitting in the staff member’s face and punching him in the neck and back of the head multiple times.
A second staff member attempted to intervene and has also been punched to her head.
A third staff member sustained a small laceration to her thumb and an injury to her back when she tried to assist.
The male and female ran from the train station towards Main Street and were last seen running down David Lane.
Police would like to speak to the male and female and ask that anyone who has any information or witnessed the incident to contact police.
The female is described as being Caucasian in appearance, aged 15-17, 157cm tall, with black hair. She was last seen wearing a black ‘Nike’ t-shirt with ‘Just do it’ emblazoned in red and white on the front, long black pants and black shoes.
The male is described as being Caucasian in appearance, aged 15-17, 155cm tall, with a black moustache. He was last seen wearing a brown baseball cap, a white Nautica branded t-shirt with a red and black logo, long dark pants and black shoes.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence