❓ Mr. Kirkup asks the Premier about the timeline for increased mental health funding and program improvements, given the WA Association for Mental Health's concerns. The Premier deflects, citing decreased hospital presentations and crime rates, and suggests directing the question to the Minister for Mental Health.
AnsweredQoN 272Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE
272. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. I appreciate
the Premier's agreement that this issue needs to be focused on. Given
that the sector is calling out for those increases in funding, can the Premier
outline to the house when that funding will be spent and when we can expect to
see improvements in those programs that the WA Association for Mental Health
believes are underfunded at this time?
MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE
272. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. I appreciate
the Premier's agreement that this issue needs to be focused on. Given
that the sector is calling out for those increases in funding, can the Premier
outline to the house when that funding will be spent and when we can expect to
see improvements in those programs that the WA Association for Mental Health
believes are underfunded at this time?
AnswerView source ↗
I do not have the figures to hand
for the amount that is being spent on suicide prevention at the moment. I am
sure that if the member gave a little bit of notice and asked the Minister for
Mental Health that question, the minister would
be able to provide the member with that figure. Obviously, as I have said to
the member, the demand for mental health services in our hospitals has
gone down. That is because of a few reasons. I suspect that a lot of people
have not wanted to go into hospital for a range of reasons. They are probably
concerned about other health issues, and perhaps there are some other social
issues that we are unaware of. I am advised that there has been a decline in a range
of crimes. As we know, a lot of mental health issues rely upon, or are perhaps
exacerbated by, people taking illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine.
There has been a decline in meth usage and a decline in a whole range of crimes
across our community, which may mean a decline in mental health presentations.
On the other hand, we also know, as I have said before, that when things are
difficult economically, a lot of people self-harm or consider self-harm.
Providing decent services for that will be a focus of the Mental Health
Commission. If the member wants specific answers to these matters, I urge him
to put his questions to the Minister for Mental Health.
for the amount that is being spent on suicide prevention at the moment. I am
sure that if the member gave a little bit of notice and asked the Minister for
Mental Health that question, the minister would
be able to provide the member with that figure. Obviously, as I have said to
the member, the demand for mental health services in our hospitals has
gone down. That is because of a few reasons. I suspect that a lot of people
have not wanted to go into hospital for a range of reasons. They are probably
concerned about other health issues, and perhaps there are some other social
issues that we are unaware of. I am advised that there has been a decline in a range
of crimes. As we know, a lot of mental health issues rely upon, or are perhaps
exacerbated by, people taking illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine.
There has been a decline in meth usage and a decline in a whole range of crimes
across our community, which may mean a decline in mental health presentations.
On the other hand, we also know, as I have said before, that when things are
difficult economically, a lot of people self-harm or consider self-harm.
Providing decent services for that will be a focus of the Mental Health
Commission. If the member wants specific answers to these matters, I urge him
to put his questions to the Minister for Mental Health.
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