MLC welcomes Barnett Government’s groundbreaking mental health reforms

4 February 2010

Hon Nick Goiran MLC, Member for the South Metropolitan Region today welcomed the announcement by the Premier and Minister for Mental Health that the State Government will create a new separate commission for mental health in Western Australia.

The new Mental Health Commission will commence from March 2010 and will be the first department of its kind in Australia.

“Mental health service delivery is a major issue in the South Metropolitan Region and I welcome this announcement by the Premier,” Hon Nick Goiran MLC said.

“Each year one in five Western Australians, representing over 337,000 individuals aged 16-85 years, experience a mental illness.

“The establishment of a Mental Health Commission recognises the need for leadership and a coordinated government approach, in partnership with the community and private service providers, to achieve crucial changes to reduce the burden of mental illness for our community.

“It recognises that many of the influences of good mental health, and of mental illness, are determined by factors outside the health system.

“The urgent priority in Western Australia is to improve the way in which individualised care is provided and coordinated for people with mental health problems.

“We are working to put in place a mental health system which strengthens early intervention and reduces the incidence of relapse for people with a mental illness who need acute care.”

The appointment of a Mental Health Commissioner is one more step in delivering on the Government’s election platform for mental health.

The Barnett Liberal Government was the first Government to appoint a Minister for Mental Health and forms the foundation for this Government’s mental health reform agenda.