The Mental Health Commission (Commission) is leading the development of a new Western Australian Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy 2025-2030 (Strategy). To assist in finalising the Strategy, the Commission is seeking final feedback on the Strategy’s proposed strategic directions.

About the Strategy’s proposed strategic directions

The Strategy’s proposed strategic directions are presented through five Strategic Pillars which reflect whole-of-system priorities: 

1. Approaches that promote wellbeing for everybody
2. Supporting people in the community to achieve their own wellbeing goals
3. Equitable access to services in the community
4. Specialised and acute services for those who need them
5. Foundations for contemporary, person-centred systems

Focus Areas for each Strategic Pillar outline the areas for specific attention over the next five years, guiding directions for what initiatives will be developed and implemented. 

Information regarding implementation, monitoring and reporting is also provided for context to assist with this final feedback process.

How were the strategic directions developed?

Consultation took place between October and December 2024. From this process and previous engagements, the Strategy’s proposed strategic directions reflect the diverse voices heard, including people with lived and living experience, their families, carers and significant others, service providers, individuals, peak bodies, government and non-government agencies and communities. Thank you to everyone who shared their insights, expertise and personal experiences to shape the new Strategy. 

A Consultation Summary Report has been developed to provide an overview of the themes that emerged through the statewide consultation process.

Download the consultation summary report

The proposed strategic directions have been developed based on what we heard from stakeholders and the community through this consultation, building on previous work, our strong evidence base and related government priorities. 

What other information will be included in the final Strategy?

The final Strategy will include a summary of its development, define wellbeing, outline the current state of mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems and provide an overview of the approach to implementation, evaluation and monitoring. It will also demonstrate linkages to intersecting state and national reform priorities, such as Closing the Gap.

To support the final Strategy, Annual Implementation and Monitoring plans (AIM Plans) will be developed to provide an overview of the key actions led or facilitated by the Commission towards achieving the Strategy’s Focus Areas. The first AIM Plan will be released when the Strategy is finalised.

Consultation

Consultation to inform the Strategy took place between October and December 2024 and is now closed. The consultation was guided by a Discussion Paper.

Throughout the process we heard from people across the State via face to face and virtual workshops, online surveys, written and verbal submissions and targeted engagements. We were fortunate to visit all regions and hear directly from people with lived experience, their families and carers, community members and local service providers about how the Strategy can be shaped to meet their needs and support better outcomes for their communities. We have also heard from relevant governance bodies, key stakeholders, and government agencies.

We also partnered with Living Proud, the Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer and Community Coalition, Carers WA, Multicultural Services Centre of WA, and People With disabilities WA who have undertaken targeted consultation with their communities in a variety of formats.

Thank you to everyone who participated for sharing your insights, experiences and expertise. The information gained through the consultation process has been invaluable and will help to ensure the new Strategy meets the needs of individuals, families, communities across the state.

Next Steps

Drafting of the MHAOD Strategy will take place over the coming months.

Updates on the MHAOD Strategy development will be provided via the Mental Health Commission’s social media pages, and this website.

We look forward to providing you with more information on the MHAOD Strategy and its development progress in 2025!