Member for Bathurst Paul Toole made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the money would support vulnerable people in the region. 

“We want to prevent suicides, we want to reduce depression, but it’s also important that we provide services into our local communities,” he said.

“As part of this funding program, Marathon Health will lead the delivery of these services. It’s about making sure we address the situation where there are gaps and trying to help those people who are at a critical point and need those services.”

Executive manager of health, Dubbo, Linda Cutler said Marathon Health’s role over the next 18 months is to ensure the funds are used to meet the needs of eligible clients by working in partnership with its Consortia partners.

“The vast majority of the funding will be expended on the salaries and wages of the clinicians working directly with our clients,” she said. 

“The existing Partners in Recovery (PIR) Organisations Consortium will provide oversight of the activities and expenditure of funds against program KPI’s for PIR Clinical Coordination Model (PIRCCO) as they do for PIR.”

The program is currently funded to manage up to 129 clients at any one time.

Ms Cutler said the funding could not have come at a better time with the changing landscape of mental health and the National Disability Insurance Scheme approaching rollout in July.

It will be used to help individuals with complex needs and severe mental illness where gaps in available services have been identified and provide support that will keep them from requiring hospitalisation.

Ms Cutler hopes more funding can be made available in the future to help continue the program.

“It is always hoped that if the program demonstrates the continued need and, of course, better outcomes for clients, then it may be in the best interest of both the individual and the State Health Service to continue the funding,” she said.