The opening of a new foundation – the Jewish Care Mental Health Foundation - in Woollahra last week has given a notable boost to mental health services in the region.

According to reports, with the Jewish Care Mental Health Foundation opening its doors in Woollahra, donations and bequests can be sent directly for funding the mental health services of the organization.

Jewish Care works in tandem with a number of organisations to provide mental health services in the eastern suburbs. The foundation provides assessment as well as advocacy, along with making provisions for several activities – like coffee clubs, and walks, among others - to improve the social interactions of the people.

Noting that these types of activities were crucial, NSW Mental Health Minister Kevin Humphries said that a lot of people who end up in acute services could have been treated earlier. Humphries also said that eastern suburbs is somewhat lacking on acute services for mental health.

Drawing attention to the figures which show that mental illnesses affect nearly 48 percent of people at some stage in their life, psychiatrist Dr George Jacobs said that it was an issue which touched everyone, and added: "Mental illness is common, it presents in many forms and often at unexpected times.”