Peak body for community mental health in Western Australia
The Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) is the peak body representing the mental health and wellbeing needs of all Western Australians and community organisations that provide mental health services.
We work to support and enable recovery in people affected by mental health concerns, through the development and representation of community mental health service providers, and by our direct engagement in understanding the experiences of people living with mental health challenges in WA.
WAAMH’s membership comprise of community-managed organisations providing mental health services, individuals, and people with lived experience of mental health issues with whom WAAMH engages in genuine partnership. WAAMH has a wide network of collaborative relationships at a state and national level.
About us
What we do
WAAMH recognises a continuum of supports - built on principles of human rights, recovery, coproduction, personalisation and choice, social inclusion and cultural connection - are essential to the promotion, protection and restoration of mental wellbeing. WAAMH promotes, advocates for and further develops this network of supports.
We work to influence policy and funding decisions that will help create a strong and sustainable range of community mental health services, to provide contemporary, individualised and responsive support for people across the breadth of our State.
WAAMH influences community attitudes, mental health priorities, policy and practice through mental health promotion, advocacy, and sector development to deliver on our vision to ensure that all Western Australians have the rights, resources and support needed for mental wellbeing and recovery and citizenship.
- Leadership, representation and advocacy: Informing, leading and advocating locally and nationally for effective mental health policy.
- Mental health promotion: Raising community awareness, and increasing participation and support for mental wellbeing, recovery and citizenship.
- Development and capacity building: Developing the capacity of services, organisations and individuals to promote, build, restore and protect mental wellbeing.
Learn about and contribute to advocacy for improved public policy and human rights in mental health.
Discover community activities and resources which promote mental health awareness and social inclusion.
Develop your ability to deliver recovery-oriented, person-centered and family-inclusive service.
Employment support and mental health
IPS WORKS is a dedicated unit within the Western Australian Association for Mental Health. With the right job match and appropriate in-work support, everybody can gain and maintain competitive employment. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based model of supported employment designed to help individuals to achieve meaningful paid employment.
Originally developed for people with serious mental illness including people with co-occurring substance use disorders, IPS has since been used and found effective with youth, veterans, older adults, and for those experiencing physical injuries, first episode psychosis, homelessness, as well as across the justice system. It is set apart from vocational rehabilitation by 8 practice principles and a scientifically validated fidelity scale.
Learn more
Online hub for the mental health sector
The Collaborative and Responsive Engagement (CARE) Hub is a free digital communication platform for people interested in mental health.
The CARE Hub is a community of like-minded people committed to increasing the capacity of the community mental health sector. A forum for members to draw on the collective wisdom of the community, ask questions, start conversations in a space that is safe, respectful, and inclusive, offering a reliable source of information, tools and frameworks.
Learn more