Labor is calling for the Hunter's recently abolished free counselling service to be reinstated as a matter of urgency as people reach desperation point in their search for help.
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The opposition has demanded that the Baird government reverse its cost-cutting decision to close the free Hunter New England Health district counselling service following reports the region's social workers and psychologists – many of whom were axed by the government and have since been forced into private practice – are being overwhelmed by desperate clients.
“The closure of the free Hunter New England Health District counselling service is one of the most wretched decisions of this Baird government,” opposition spokesman for health Dr Andrew McDonald said.
“It just means that people's needs go underground and unaddressed.
“Patients requiring counselling services slip through the cracks, their challenges intensify and the longer term cost to the health system is enormous.”
Earlier this month the Mercury revealed that the Maitland Mental Health Unit wa s struggling with an unusual peak in demand with patients being transferred to other facilities across the region.
And while a catalyst for the rise in cases has not been identified, the Association of the Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill Hunter branch said the news was not surprising.
“We do see a lot of people who need help and there just aren't enough facilities to cope with our needs,” ARAFMI Hunter regional manager Joanne Sinclair said.
"There are a lot of grey areas when it comes to mental illness, so we need all the help we can get."
In February, Hunter New England Health announced the delivery of counselling services across the Hunter would change.
Hunter Medicare Local – and a range of other organisations – would take responsibility for the services.
Following the announcement, HNE Health chief executive Michael DiRienzo said the time was right for the controversial change.
"In the past decade the range of alternative services has grown significantly and many of these providers now duplicate our services," Mr DiRienzo said.
Hunter New England Health used to provide free therapy to 1400 patients a year – with a further 2500 patients referred from there to other providers.
