Mental health need increases amid long waitlists for professional help, sharp rise in emergency presentations Posted 4 updated 4 MarMarch 2021 at 11:27pm Psychiatrists want the government to increase the mental health workforce by 30 per cent in the next five years to cope with demand. ( Print text only Cancel Psychiatrists are urging the Queensland government to fund more mental health positions as they grapple with having just two-thirds of required staff amid a "mental health crisis" that has seen a 90 per cent increase in emergency department presentations. Key points: A Queensland psychiatrist says more professionals are needed to cope with "the mental health crisis gripping the community"