Criminal justice and mental health

The intersection of criminal justice and mental health in Western Australia is a multifaceted challenge for both systems. Individuals grappling with mental health issues often find themselves disproportionately involved in the criminal justice system, owing to factors such as the criminalisation of certain behaviors related to mental illness and a lack of accessible mental health services.

Efforts by the Australian Government and various states and territories have focused on policy initiatives, community-based mental health services, legal reform, and collaborative endeavours among agencies to enhance the wellbeing of those affected by mental health issues in the criminal justice system.

WAAMH is dedicated to building a more effective criminal justice system for people experiencing mental health challenges.