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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 37 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 24 June 2021 by Mr R.S. Love

Question Directed to the: Minister representing the Minister for Mental Health
Parliament: 41 Session: 1


Question

I refer to Tropical Cyclone Seroja, and I ask
:
(a) How many mental health outreach programs are available in each of the 13 local government areas in the declared disaster area:
(i) For those in (a), please detail the number of people who have sought help from each local government area; and
(b) Has the Minister visited any of the 13 local government areas:
(i) If yes, on what dates and who did they meet with?

Answered on 3 August 2021

(a)   The Mental Health Commission (MHC) funds a number of services in the declared disaster area covering the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across prevention, community support and treatment services.

 

Prevention services include:

·         Suicide prevention programs which help build the capacity of the community and relevant service providers to better identify and address local suicide-related issues through evidence-based prevention activity;

·         Supporting the Community Alcohol and Drug Service teams to develop and implement prevention activity in the Midwest region.;

·         Suicide Prevention Coordinators in the Midwest which have established Community Wellness Plans in Greater Geraldton and the North Midlands, including Three Springs, that guide a number of activities to address suicide prevention, mental health promotion and mental health wellbeing; and

·         State-wide services such as telephone counselling lines.

 

Treatment services include alcohol and drug counselling, prevention, diversion, residential alcohol and drug treatment, cannabis intervention, and transitional housing and support.

 

The Midwest Community Alcohol and Drug Service is the main region-wide provider of outpatient counselling for individuals and families, prevention activities and diversion services.  People can also access the Community Opioid Replacement Program through the service. The service is integrated with the public community mental health team under the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS).

 

WACHS have had a role facilitating a joined-up response amongst the agencies of the Midwest. 

 

There is also personalised support offering psychosocial recovery programs, personalised support linked to housing providing supported accommodation such as supportive landlord services and the Individualised Community Living Strategy packages of support, staffed residential units, a Step Up/Step Down service, and Family and Carer Support programs.  

 

(a)(i) The MHC does not receive specific information regarding the number of people who have sought help for mental health, alcohol and other drugs issues due to Cyclone Seroja from each LGAs.  However, we do know that organisations provided assistance with accessing relief payments, Western Power rebates and clean ups. They also provided support in locating temporary accommodation, as there is high demand for housing with caravan parks and other accommodation options currently at capacity.

 

WACHS reported an increase in the demand for mental health services in Kalbarri with services increasing from three to five days a week in Kalbarri. There has been no noticeable increase in the demand for alcohol and drug counselling services.

 

The Suicide Prevention Coordinators have supported the Northampton Community before and after Cyclone Seroja with postvention support after suspected suicides in the town. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator has also coordinated various suicide prevention and mental health trainings for communities throughout the region including Shark Bay/Denham and Exmouth. They also have a number of education campaigns in the region regarding information on how to stay mentally healthy and further support for people who need it.

 

(b)   Yes

                 (i)            On May 1, I met with numerous stakeholders from the Midwest.