Transparency and healthcare spending are often poles apart.

Despite this division Wingecarribee health services general manager Amanda Larkin has committed to putting the spending on mental health in the Highlands squarely in the public focus.

Faced with stretching the meagre funds the region was allocated, Mrs Larkin said she was actively pursuing mental health reform in the region.

Greater transparency, however, was not a simple black and white question.

"Transparency and health is always an issue because much of the work we do, especially work I do regarding mental health, is unable to be quantified," Mrs Larkin said.

"However, I have made a commitment to the members of ARAFMI(a support group for families of the mentally ill) that this year's budget for mental healthcare will be put on show.

"But there is still a long way to go for the south western area to be adequately resourced in mental health."

An element of transparency may be achieved as the general manager opens the South Western Area Health books for all to see but this is unlikely to address the structural deficiencies inherent in the Highlands mental health system.

"We are still faced with some serious issues," the general manager said.

"Nursing staff are hard to get across the whole health care sector, so trying to get mental health nurses (especially with experience) is extremely difficult.

"Added to that is the need for mental health gaining equality when it comes to healthcare."

"Historically mental health has been segregated from the hospital system and this division has continued."

This historical lack is steadily being addressed according to Mrs Larkin.

Encouraging private sector groups like Mr Holt's Triple Care Farm as well as support group ARAFMI to act as advocates in building a better mental healthcare system was vital, she said.