McGowan Government delivers new South West mental health service

  • McGowan Government delivers 10-bed community step up/step down service
  • More options for people with mental health issues in the South-West
  • Another McGowan Government election commitment delivered
  • Bolsters the nearly $40 million in other mental health and alcohol and other drug services provided to people throughout the South-West
  • People in the South-West will now have access to a new mental health service with the opening of the community step up/step down service in Glen Iris, Bunbury.

    The 10-bed service will provide short-term, 24/7 residential support and individualised care for people following discharge from hospital, or help people avoid unnecessary hospitalisation in the future.

    The McGowan Government has invested $12 million to provide this new service for people in the South-West region.

    The Bunbury service, the first to be built from the ground up in regional Western Australia, is part of the McGowan Government’s $28 million funding commitment to establish community mental health step up/step down services across the State.

    Approximately 44 local companies were engaged in the construction of the facility. This represents approximately 85 per cent of the project costs being invested in local service providers.

    Leading non-government mental health organisation, Richmond Wellbeing, has been appointed as the operator of the new Bunbury community step up/step down service, and people will be able to start accessing the service later this month.

    Community mental health step up/step down services form a part of the McGowan Government’s commitment to support people to continue their everyday life in the community, out of hospital and close to personal support from family and friends.

    The Bunbury service will join three other community step up/down services around the State which are currently operational in Joondalup, Rockingham and Albany.

    It will complement the nearly $40 million in other mental health and alcohol and other drug services that the State Government provides through government and non-government organisations to people throughout the South-West.

    For support, call beyondblue on 1300 224 636 for 24/7 free counselling or Lifeline in a crisis situation on 13 11 14.

    For more information on community mental health step up/step down services visit https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “Community mental health step up/step down services provide a vital service – to help people manage their mental health in the community, providing them with the opportunity to recover faster and avoid unnecessary stays in hospitals.

    “The establishment of this service will give people living in the South-West another option for mental health treatment and support – it will provide 24/7 support, in their community, close to family and friends.

    “We know that people recover better when they have their personal networks close by.

    “My Government is committed to providing all Western Australians with access to treatment and support, when they need it, and close to where they live.”

    As stated by Mental Health Minister Roger Cook:

    “The McGowan Government is committed to providing services so that people across Western Australia can access help when they need it, within their own communities.

    “Mental health and wellbeing should be a priority for everyone – we are doing our bit to help people address issues early and have the support they need.

    “The service operator, Richmond Wellbeing, and its many partner organisations in the region will be working to deliver wrap around, holistic, community based services to people in need.

    “There is much more to do, to ensure that our State is the healthiest it can be, and so we can prevent, support and treat mental health issues – appropriately and with the utmost dignity.”

    As stated by Bunbury MLA Don Punch:

    “These services are an example of the McGowan Government’s commitment that everyone should have access to treatment and support, when they need it, close to where they live.

    “The establishment of this service in the South-West will provide a new option for people experiencing mental health issues in this region.

    “Putting people and their recovery first is at the core of effective mental health services and support.

    “This is service is one that I strongly advocated for as part of the Plan for Bunbury, which has now been delivered by the McGowan Government.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.