Latest News

15 May 2019

Mental health budget 2019 lowdown: Prevention targets missing in action

After some in-depth analysis, our team has crunched the figures and the features of the State Budget 2019 and its impact on the mental health sector.

09 May 2019

Joint Media Statement: State Budget does not properly address Aboriginal suicide prevention

Urgent action is required to address the unacceptable number of deaths caused by suicide in Aboriginal communities. Cutting prevention investment in the State Budget exposes a significant missed opportunity to improve people’s outcomes and help prevent these tragedies in our communities. The Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH), Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre (Moorditj Koort) and the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) with its member services, are relieved the State Government has extended the Suicide Prevention Strategy – which was due to end on 30 June 2019 – for a further 18 months. However, are alarmed at the cuts to overall prevention spend.

17 Apr 2019

WAAMH Submission: Productivity Commission Inquiry

WAAMH's Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into the 'Social and Economic Benefits of Improving Mental Health'. This submission is based on a range of resources, including academic research; existing WAAMH papers and submissions; existing WAAMH consultation findings; and, feedback and insights from wide consultation with people in the mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) and other relevant sectors, including people with lived experience, families and carers.

16 Apr 2019

Media Release: National report exposes further holes in NDIS transition

WAAMH has raised concerns based on report findings released by The University of Sydney and Australia’s coalition of community mental health peaks, Community Mental Health Australia that show a significant inadequacy of support for thousands of people living with serious mental illness in Australia, currently left outside of the NDIS.

11 Apr 2019

Media Release: Funding injection into sustainable health promising but missing the right balance

WAAMH welcomes today’s announcement from the State Government to direct $23.1 million towards mental health recommendations from the Sustainable Health Review, and further funding for decommissioning Graylands Hospital and establishing Recovery Colleges, however we continue to see the majority of investment still being directed at hospital beds, reinforcing old structures.

10 Apr 2019

WAAMH’s Submission to the 10 Year Plan Update

WAAMH outlines what it welcomes in the Plan Update and areas of serious concern surrounding a lack of progress, focus and prioritisation in other areas.

08 Apr 2019

WA Market Review Submission

This submission focuses on the development of robust markets for people with psychosocial disability. It is informed by WAAMH’s NDIS Sector Reference Group, comprehensive ongoing engagement with members and psychosocial stakeholders including consumer and carer representative organisations, and WAAMH’s WA Market Review round table event held with David Cullen, Chief Economist to the NDIS, on Tuesday 26 March 2019.

21 Mar 2019

Media Release: NDIS funding extension welcome but delays still cast doubts in WA

WESTERN Australia’s peak body for mental health, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) welcomes today’s announcement from the Federal Government to extend funding for community mental health programs, which support thousands of people with psychosocial disability, while the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is rolled-out in WA.

20 Feb 2019

WAAMH Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS

In this submission, WAAMH provides evidence to the committee about some of the most urgent and pressing issues in the context of psychosocial disability and the NDIS in WA, and the scheme's delays here in the west. We request three specific urgent recommendations are made by the committee to support the scheme to reach its objectives for people with psychosocial disability in WA.

28 Nov 2018

Complex Trauma - a vision for a treatment response to address lifelong mental health outcomes

WAAMH in partnership with Anglicare WA and WA Council of Social Services hosted a free information evening with leading complex post-traumatic stress disorder specialist, Associate Professor Dr Roger Gurr to discuss a national fidelity-based model of treatment responses, specialist services and an evidence-based clinical model for tackling complex childhood trauma and adverse mental health outcomes and discuss implications for Western Australia.