❓ Mr L'Estrange asks the Minister for Health to commit to increasing funding for suicide prevention activities in the Mental Health Commission's budget to reach the optimal target identified in the WA mental health plan. The Minister acknowledges the plan and prioritisation of mental health but cites difficult fiscal circumstances.
AnsweredQoN 323Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGY
323. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question. I noticed
the minister's comments with regards to deaths in the Kimberley and the
complexity of suicide. Last year, suicide increased by 10 per cent, which was
tragic in itself. Will the minister commit to increasing funding for prevention
activities in the Mental Health Commission's 2019–20 budget so
that the proportion of that funding reaches the four per cent identified as
being the optimal target by the Western Australian mental health, alcohol and
other drugs services plan?
323. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question. I noticed
the minister's comments with regards to deaths in the Kimberley and the
complexity of suicide. Last year, suicide increased by 10 per cent, which was
tragic in itself. Will the minister commit to increasing funding for prevention
activities in the Mental Health Commission's 2019–20 budget so
that the proportion of that funding reaches the four per cent identified as
being the optimal target by the Western Australian mental health, alcohol and
other drugs services plan?
AnswerView source ↗
I
am pleased the member has mentioned the plan; that is an important part of what
we do. We measure all our policies against not only the plan, but also
the evaluation of those policies as they come for either re-evaluation to move forward or refreshment. We will continue to
provide the services that are needed in the community. We have, as has been observed on a number of occasions, difficult fiscal circumstances that
require difficult decision-making. I can assure the house that we regard mental
health and suicide prevention as one of the key priorities of this government.
We will continue to make hard decisions to ensure that we have the resources we
need for that policy area.
The SPEAKER : Thank you. That
is the end of question time.
am pleased the member has mentioned the plan; that is an important part of what
we do. We measure all our policies against not only the plan, but also
the evaluation of those policies as they come for either re-evaluation to move forward or refreshment. We will continue to
provide the services that are needed in the community. We have, as has been observed on a number of occasions, difficult fiscal circumstances that
require difficult decision-making. I can assure the house that we regard mental
health and suicide prevention as one of the key priorities of this government.
We will continue to make hard decisions to ensure that we have the resources we
need for that policy area.
The SPEAKER : Thank you. That
is the end of question time.
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