Are you interested in finding new ways to solve big problems? Join our Mental Health Innovation Challenge

The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has partnered with the University of Newcastle (UoN) and the University of New England (UNE) to take an innovative approach to help identify solutions that will address the Mental Health crisis across our region.

Access to mental health services is a critical issue as demand outstrips supply. This problem is projected to worsen in the short term as the mental fitness of the community continues to decline. Currently, the number of emergency department presentations for mental health and behavioural disorders in the Hunter New England and Central Coast regions is higher than the state average, with the highest number recorded in remote and rural areas.

In our region 11.5 people in 100 reported experiencing a mental health condition, including depression and anxiety, in 2021, however we have no clear insight into the additional numbers of people who live with mental health issues and do not seek professional help.

Evidence tells us that early intervention is key to achieving and maintaining mental health fitness, so what can we be doing to address this underlying need?

Our university partners (UoN and UNE), working in collaboration with the PHN, will be holding a Mental Health Innovation Challenge in March 2024. The Challenge connects a variety of people and organisations to help solve specific problems. It will use an innovative team based explorative and iterative creative development process that can bring new concepts and solutions to life.

We are looking for participants who are interested in innovative thinking, including but not limited to people from different professions including health, people who have lived experience with or care for someone with a mental health condition, students, researchers, innovators, technology providers and entrepreneurs. A series of events will be held in February 2024 with the main Innovation Challenge to be held on March 15 and 16, 2024.

Participants in the Innovation Challenge will have the chance to share in prize money of up to $3,500.00.

For more information on the Mental Health Innovation Challenge, join us on February 6, 2024 for an information session including a Q&A opportunity.
Select here to register.

Click here for more information on the full series of events and to register your interest.