A virtual mentoring program, for young people being treated in hospital for mental illness, will be trialled at one of the State’s largest mental health units for young people.

Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies today announced mental health teams at Hornsby Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit will work with youth mental health organisation Batyr to deliver the program.

“We want young people to see and hear courageous stories of recovery while they are in our care, because we know this has a profoundly positive impact on their recovery,” Mrs Davies said.

“The trial will see young mental health patients access carefully curated stories of personal experience, on an iPad or computer, shared firsthand by people who know what it’s like to be cared for in hospital for mental health reasons.”

The NSW Government has invested $50,000 to support the ‘Being Herd Digital Peer Support Pilot’, which will begin this month and be evaluated after completion in January.

Tomorrow will mark the beginning of NSW’s Mental Health Month, with this year’s theme ‘Share the Journey’, to encourage the community to talk about mental health and tackle stigma.

“Nearly half of all Australians will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime, and those who don’t will likely know someone who will,” Mrs Davies said.

“But we do not have to suffer alone and, by sharing our journey, we break down barriers that surround ourselves, our friends, family, and community.”

In the State Budget, the NSW Government committed $2.1 billion for mental health services and infrastructure in 2018-19, and $700 million for a statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Plan.

Mental Health Month, run by WayAhead (Mental Health Association NSW), includes a wide range of community events open to people with lived experience of mental health issues, families and carers, and the services that support them.

For a full list of events across NSW during October, including World Mental Health Day on October 10 and Stress Less Day on October 30, view all our Mental Health Month events.

If you or someone you know needs crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For mental health services in your local area call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.