A Mental Health Commission is to be set up to expand on the work of the Department of Health’s Mental Health Division.
Announced by Premier, Colin Barnett, the Australia-first initiative will come into being next month and focus on people living with a mental illness and their ability to recover.
Mr Barnett said the Commission would have its own management and budget after an initial phase-in period.
“Over coming years, mental health will be separated from the Health portfolio,” he said.
New Commission to expand services
“The Commission will be responsible for operating all aspects of mental health services throughout the State, with final responsibility resting with the Mental Health Minister.
“It will have powers broadly consistent with the successful Disability Services Commission.”
Mr Barnett said services would continue to be delivered by a range of providers, including area health services, community and non-profit organisations and the private sector.
“This focus on mental health will enable the State Government to have dedicated and tailored services to provide the best possible services and planning for people with mental illness,” the Premier said.
“For a long time mental health issues were a taboo subject but for this Government, silence is not acceptable.”
He said the new Mental Health Commissioner would help implement much-needed reforms to better help people with mental illness.
Mr Barnett said the reforms placed Western Australia in line with international leaders in mental health service delivery such as Canada, Scotland and New Zealand.
Minister for Mental Health, Graham Jacobs said statistics on mental health supported the Government’s push for reform.
“Each year one in five Western Australians experience a mental illness,” Mr Jacobs said.
“In 2007, a population health study found at least half of all Australians with a mental health disorder have an issue with alcohol or drugs.
“Too many Western Australians with a mental illness end up in our hospitals. Too many relapse and have to return to hospital because there is no alternative.”
He said the new approach would ensure that mental health consumers and carers would have more input into the planning and delivery of mental health services.
Steps are currently being taken to recruit a Commissioner who will be a senior Public Service Chief Executive empowered to lead a broad and rigorous reform agenda.
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