The State Government has released the draft Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025 Update 2018 for public feedback. Combined with the review of the clinical governance of public mental health services being led by Dr Martin Chapman, the plan provides a blueprint to inform the future development of mental health services across the State.
The plan sets the strategic direction for the mental health, alcohol and other drug sector. The draft Plan Update 2018 provides updated modelling, a guide for future investment decisions and a summary of progress towards actions outlined in the plan.
It identifies a continuing need to rebalance the system by expanding community-based mental health services and supported accommodation, and reducing the over-reliance on emergency departments and hospital beds.
The McGowan Government is acting on this as a priority with a number of initiatives, including the provision of step up/step down residential services across regional WA and the introduction of a new model to manage mental health patient flow between hospitals.
Since the plan’s release in 2015, a number of actions have been completed, including expanding Community Alcohol and Drug Services across the State, launching the Think Mental Health campaign, and increasing youth mental health inpatient and community treatment services.
Planning for alcohol and other drug service provision in the Kimberley is underway, along with the development of a model of service for Recovery Colleges. Planning has also commenced for the decommissioning and reinvestment of services at the Graylands Health Campus.
The State Government’s immediate response to the Methamphetamine Action Plan final report includes the expansion of the Police Mental Health Co-response teams, planning for a trial of compulsory crisis intervention, and a one-stop 24-hour support service to better support individuals and families in need.
Western Australians have until April 9, 2019 to provide feedback on the draft Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025 Update 2018 at https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au
As stated by Mental Health Minister Roger Cook:
“As a Government, our focus is to ensure people can access the help they need, when and where they need it. In the last year, we have released the co-design of a Recovery College model of service and provided funding to establish up to 34 alcohol and other drug treatment beds in the South-West.
“Reducing the number of people with mental health problems who present at hospital emergency departments is a priority. We are focusing resources on community treatment with the State-wide rollout of community mental health step up/step down services and we have introduced a new pilot plan to improve mental health patient flow, including a live dashboard of available beds across WA.
“The McGowan Government is increasing treatment beds across WA, including specialised youth services, and establishing a Mental Health Emergency Centre at RPH and Midland hospitals. As part of the Meth Action Plan, the Police Mental Health Co-response program is currently being expanded.”
