❓ Ms. Farrer questions the allocation of mental health funding to the Kimberley region, given its high suicide rate, compared to the overall state investment in suicide prevention. The Minister defends the allocation by outlining a multi-pronged approach and additional funding streams.
AnsweredQoN 3729Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister’s answer to my Question On Notice No. 3172, specifically part (a) and ask how do the Minister justifies only allocating $2.5 million to the Kimberley since 2009 when the State Government has invested $21 million in the Western Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy (the Strategy) overall during the same period , when the Kimberley region has one of the highest suicide rates in the world?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 April 2015
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health
Response time
42 days
The $2.5 million invested in six Community Action Plans and suicide prevention training in the Kimberley forms one part of a multi-pronged approach to suicide prevention in the Kimberley by the State Government.
In addition to the Community Action Plans, the State Government has allocated $29.1 million to the Statewide Specialist Aboriginal Mental Health Service from 2014 - 2017, to support Aboriginal people with severe mental illness and their families in a culturally appropriate way. It is estimated that approximately $6.4 million of that funding will be spent in the Kimberley region.
During 2014, more than $56,000 was allocated to suicide prevention initiatives and training in the Kimberley area through the One Life suicide prevention small grants scheme.
The Drug and Alcohol Office provides additional alcohol and other drug services in the Kimberley. Since 2011/12 the provision of alcohol and other drug treatment, support and prevention services has been substantially increased via funding from Royalties for Regions. In 2014/15 this additional funding totals over $3.3 million. This has resulted in the creation of service hubs in Halls Creek, and Fitzroy Crossing as well as improved outreach to communities across the Kimberley.
In the State Coroner's Quarterly Report of Suicide Statistics, the preliminary number of suicides by Aboriginal people under 25 has shown a decreasing trend since 2011; however it should be noted that most of the recent cases are still awaiting a final determination by the Coroner.
The next Australian Bureau of Statistics Causes of Death publication will be released on 31 March 2015. This will contain the official suicide statistics for 2013, including age ‑ standardised rates enabling inter-jurisdictional and other comparisons.
In addition to the Community Action Plans, the State Government has allocated $29.1 million to the Statewide Specialist Aboriginal Mental Health Service from 2014 - 2017, to support Aboriginal people with severe mental illness and their families in a culturally appropriate way. It is estimated that approximately $6.4 million of that funding will be spent in the Kimberley region.
During 2014, more than $56,000 was allocated to suicide prevention initiatives and training in the Kimberley area through the One Life suicide prevention small grants scheme.
The Drug and Alcohol Office provides additional alcohol and other drug services in the Kimberley. Since 2011/12 the provision of alcohol and other drug treatment, support and prevention services has been substantially increased via funding from Royalties for Regions. In 2014/15 this additional funding totals over $3.3 million. This has resulted in the creation of service hubs in Halls Creek, and Fitzroy Crossing as well as improved outreach to communities across the Kimberley.
In the State Coroner's Quarterly Report of Suicide Statistics, the preliminary number of suicides by Aboriginal people under 25 has shown a decreasing trend since 2011; however it should be noted that most of the recent cases are still awaiting a final determination by the Coroner.
The next Australian Bureau of Statistics Causes of Death publication will be released on 31 March 2015. This will contain the official suicide statistics for 2013, including age ‑ standardised rates enabling inter-jurisdictional and other comparisons.
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