Mental health is a crucial part of our overall wellbeing—it influences how we connect with others, perform at work, and care for our physical health. The importance of looking after mental health cannot be overstated. A recent study found that over 50% of people living in Western Sydney experienced a low level of psychological stress.[1]
Several services are available in Western Sydney to support individuals at every stage of their mental health journey. Whether you’re exploring self-help tools or seeking more in-depth clinical care, support is available to meet the diverse needs of its community.
Accessing Mental Health Support
Mental health services are easier to access for all the diverse people that make up Western Sydney including:
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
- Young People
- People integrating back into the community following a hospital stay
- People who have co-occurring mental health concerns
No matter if you’re navigating a challenging event or facing something more complex, everyone can benefit from a little extra support and guidance. You’re not alone—and help is always within reach.
Look out for Mental Health Symptoms
Here are some signs of mental illness to look out for:
- Unusual or illogical thoughts
- Unreasonable anger or irritability
- Poor concentration and memory, not being able to follow a conversation
- Hearing voices that no one else can hear
- Increased or decreased sleep
- Increased or low appetite, or preoccupation with control over food, calories or excessive exercise
- Lack of motivation
- Withdrawing from people
- Drug use
- Feelings that life is not worth living or suicidal thoughts
- Becoming obsessed with a topic, like death or religion
- Not looking after personal hygiene or other responsibilities
- Not doing as well as usual at school or work
Services Available in Western Sydney
WentWest offer mental health services across a range of needs. These services are all free to access for people who live in Western Sydney and are broken up into five levels:
- Level 1: Self-Management Services
- Level 2: Low Intensity Services
- Level 3: Moderate Intensity Services
- Level 4: High Intensity Services
- Level 5: Acute and Specialist Mental Health Services
For those experiencing mild symptoms such as changes in mood and feelings like increase worry, sadness or looking to maintain their mental wellbeing, self-management services such as digital therapies and online resources are available through platforms like Medicare Mental Health and Sane. These tools empower individuals to take proactive steps in managing their mental health.
For more structured support, low to moderate intensity services include short-term counselling, group therapy, and face-to-face sessions. Referrals into these services can be accessed through the Medicare Mental Health Phone line or your GP.
Western Sydney also offers high-intensity and specialist services for individuals with more complex needs; these can be accessed through you GP or the Mental Health line. If you’re concerned about your mental health or someone else’s, your GP is a great first point of contact.
Find out more and access a range of Mental Health support here
The Mental Health Line
The 1800 011 511 Mental Health Line is NSW Health’s 24/7 statewide phone service which links people with NSW Health mental health services. It is a free service.
It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who:
- offer mental health advice
- complete a brief assessment
- make recommendations for appropriate care, including referral to NSW Health mental health services
The mental health professional will ask questions to understand your needs and recommend appropriate services.
Medicare Mental Health Line
The Medicare Mental Health phoneline is a national phone line for anyone experiencing mental ill-health. You can make a free call to Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 between 8:30am – 5pm weekdays (except public holidays) and be connected with a trained professional. You don’t need a Medicare card to access it. They can help you access local mental health services and supports that are right for you.
Sources
- The WSPHN Health Needs Assessment 2024 – 2025