$56m boost to mental health and alcohol and other drug supports

Today Minister for Mental Health Roger Cook announced the investment of $56 million for mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services. The additional funding will create new community models of care, supporting at-risk and vulnerable groups.

A new 20 bed adult community care unit 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. Read the list of initiatives allocated funding here.