This document is for mental health and general health organisations in recognition that people with lived experience of mental health issues commonly have needs that will be met by a range of health and partner care providers.

The NSW Government is undertaking a ten year whole-of-government transformation of mental health care to 2024. The NSW Mental Health Reform (the Reform) comes in response to Living well: a strategic plan for mental health in NSW 2014-2024. The Reform puts people – not processes – at the centre of the mental health care system.

Mental health services are delivered by a range of providers across the service spectrum. The Framework and Workforce Plan support NSW Health organisations to plan and deliver priority programs tailored to the health needs of their target population at both state and local level levels. This includes NSW Health Local Health Districts (LHDs), Specialty Health Networks (SHNs), Branches, Pillars and other NSW Health Organisations. The Framework and Workforce Plan also guide these organisations as they commission mental health community support services, education, research and collaborative initiatives.

The Framework provides an overview of the mental health status of the population, identifies the workforce, and outlines objectives, strategies and high level actions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people with lived experience of mental illness, the experience of care for their families, carers and supporters and staff experiences.

The Workforce Plan outlines workforce planning and development actions that will help services achieve Framework objectives. The Workforce Plan and Framework are interdependent and are integrated as a single framework.

The Framework and Workforce Plan target statewide priorities for the next five years. Many other important focuses have not been mentioned, but continue as good business as usual practices and/or local initiatives.