The McGowan Government has officially opened Western Australia’s State-wide Recovery College for mental health and wellbeing.
The college will provide courses and education throughout Western Australia, co-developed by people with lived experience of mental health and alcohol and other drug issues, to support others with their recovery.
It aims to create positive change and hope to the people of Western Australia by bringing together individuals from all walks of life, where everyone’s lived and learned experience is valued, and their own unique qualities and passions are utilised to create courses for the community in a safe, welcoming and flexible learning environment.
HelpingMinds will be working in collaboration with the Recovery College of Western Australia to establish, manage and operate the Western Australian Recovery College Alliance.
The delivery of the college is part of the McGowan Government’s commitment to providing more community-based services and support early intervention and recovery.
It was also highlighted in the State Priorities 2020-2024 for mental health, alcohol and other drugs.
It adds to the more than $45 million in suicide prevention initiatives announced this year, as well as the network of community mental health step up/step down services being delivered in regions across Western Australia.
The Recovery College will open in stages.
The Metropolitan Wheatbelt, South-West and Goldfields regions will be operational as part of phase one, and the Pilbara/Kimberley regions to be opened as part of phase 2 in 2022.
The college is currently looking for educators to co-design and deliver courses. You can apply to be an educator by visiting https://www.warecoverycollege.org.au
In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 for free counselling.
More mental health services in your local area can be found at https://www.myservices.org.au
As stated by Mental Health Minister Roger Cook:
“This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting all of us, mental health and wellbeing has become more important than ever.
“However, managing your mental health is not always easy and there is not always a clear way forward.
“The Recovery College will deliver information, courses and education from people who have been through a recovery journey before, so people accessing the college can learn from their lived experience and the understanding of peers.
“Delivering services in the community is a priority for the Government – we want to support people to manage a mental illness out of hospital and in the community, including developing a support network around themselves and learning skills to support them.”
