The Department of Health and Ageing has awarded SANE Australia a $27.3 million grant over three years for the national roll-out of Australia’s first digital psychosocial recovery program. This innovative initiative targets adults experiencing complex mental illness and trauma, offering a digital solution for mental health support that has never been seen before on such a scale.
A Step Forward in Mental Health Accessibility:
The program, described as “the first of its kind in the world,” is expected to be a game-changer for the mental health landscape in Australia. The funding will help to make mental health services more accessible, particularly to those with complex needs, including people with intellectual disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injuries. The initiative promises to enhance mental health outcomes and ease the burden on the country’s primary health care system.
Personalized Support with Digital Accessibility:
SANE’s digital programs offer a range of services, including 1:1 personalized counseling, group sessions, peer support, and 24/7 community connection—all accessible via any internet-enabled device. These services offer similar outcomes to traditional in-person therapies but are more cost-effective, scalable, and accessible. The digital approach also helps overcome geographic and cultural barriers, making mental health support available to individuals regardless of location.
Addressing the Needs of the Complex Mental Health Community:
SANE CEO Rachel Green highlighted that approximately five million Australians live with complex mental health needs, with at least 500,000 missing out on essential support services. This program aims to reach those individuals, offering them tools for recovery through an innovative, evidence-backed digital approach.
“The need to find new ways of supporting this community has never been greater,” Green emphasized. “Digital mental health support services are just as effective as face-to-face services, and they are more economical, which makes them rapidly scalable to meet geographic or workforce challenges.”
Empowering Individuals on Their Recovery Journey:
SANE has already piloted a guided recovery program in collaboration with the lived experience community. This program is designed to help individuals build their own recovery journey, with independent evaluations showing significant benefits, including reduced symptoms and improved quality of life.
“Our services now offer a stepped digital support model,” Green said. “It empowers individuals to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead their own recovery.”
National Roll-out Starting in July 2025:
The program is set to be made available nationally by July 2025, marking a historic investment in mental health services and a commitment to reversing the inequality in service access for those with complex needs. The initiative will be delivered by specialist mental health workers and will be accessible via internet-enabled devices or by telephone for those without internet access.
SANE’s digital mental health program represents a forward-thinking approach that promises to transform the mental health support system in Australia, making it more inclusive, effective, and accessible to all.
