NSW Focuses on Youth Mental Health, Suicide in Post-Pandemic Budget

New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet addresses the media during a press conference to update on COVID-19, at NSW Parliament House on March 17, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has temporarily turned his budget focus from the COVID-hit economy to health, particularly the mental health of young people.

His pre-budget announcements on Sunday included adding 100 new school-based nurses to support students at a cost of $46.8 million (US$34 million) and spending $6 million to help communities tackle suicide.

Perrottet said the funding over four years would allow thousands of more students to have access to a nurse at school by extending an existing program.