The McGowan Government is investing $56 million to community mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, as part of their plan to increase community support and treatment for Western Australians.
The significant investment is in line with the recommendations of the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan and the Minister’s mental health and AOD priorities released in March 2020.
This funding package for mental health and alcohol and other drug services will create new community models of care, supporting at-risk and vulnerable groups.
In a first for Western Australia, the McGowan Government will invest $25 million in a new 20‑bed adult community care unit, which will provide high-level support and rehabilitation services in a home-like environment in the community to adults with mental health issues. This will be a highly supported environment providing clinical in-reach services, peer support and residentially-based psychosocial supports.
An additional $25 million has been invested to develop a 16-bed youth mental health and alcohol and other drug homelessness service in the metro area. This service will provide stable transitional supported accommodation for young people aged 16-24 years who have a severe mental health issue with or without a co-occurring AOD issue and who are experiencing homelessness.
This is the first time a youth residential mental health service will also formally incorporate alcohol and other drug support and treatment.
The new community care unit and youth facility are part of the first phase of implementation of the Mental Health Commission’s ‘A Safe Place – a Western Australian strategy to provide safe and stable accommodation and support to people experiencing mental health, alcohol and other drug issues’.
Additionally, a $6 million COVID-19 recovery mental health funding package will help support people already accessing mental health and AOD services, as services adjust to the new environment and maintain infection control standards required during the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding will also help to keep people well in the community and out of hospital, including emergency departments, so that wherever possible individuals can receive appropriate support and treatment while remaining in their community.
In addition, Western Australia is progressing data and modelling projects focused on understanding future impacts and demand on mental health and AOD services.
Visit https://myservices.org.au/ for more information about the mental health services available across Western Australia.
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in a crisis situation or BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 for free counselling.
As stated by Mental Health Minister Roger Cook
“Community mental health and alcohol and other drug services play an essential role in Western Australia – I thank all the people working in frontline services for their contribution. They have been doing an outstanding job over the past few months in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our State.
“For some people, who already struggle with mental health illness or are experiencing it for the first time, we must ensure the services continue to be available.
We know that there will be a significant impact on young people as a result of the pandemic so it is critical that we have services for those aged 16 to 24 who might have been severely impacted. “
