❓ Question raises concerns about mental health service availability for young people in Mandurah and Peel region, particularly regarding waitlists, 24/7 support, funding for local services, and adequacy of existing programs. The answer addresses each point, disputing some claims and outlining existing services and funding approaches.
AnsweredQoN 1370Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES — MANDURAH AND PEEL
REGION
1370. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the minister's
answer to question without notice 1268.
(1) How many
people are on the waitlist for an appointment with Peel Child and Adolescent
Health Service, and what is the average wait time for an appointment?
(2) Does the
minister consider it acceptable that the only 24/7 services available to
Mandurah and Peel teenagers at risk of suicide are phone‑based or online
helpline–style services?
(3) Given that
Peel CAMHS refers clients to the Peel Youth Medical Service, is this local
service funded by the Mental Health Commission; and, if not, why not?
(4) Given that
Youth Focus provides counselling in Mandurah only one day per week, with no
capacity to increase services due to limited funding does the minister consider
this an acceptable level of service for the Peel region?
(5) Why does the
government refuse to fund the local delivery of 3 Tier Youth Mental Health
Program services, when on‑the‑ground local services in the Peel region
are so scarce?
REGION
1370. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the minister's
answer to question without notice 1268.
(1) How many
people are on the waitlist for an appointment with Peel Child and Adolescent
Health Service, and what is the average wait time for an appointment?
(2) Does the
minister consider it acceptable that the only 24/7 services available to
Mandurah and Peel teenagers at risk of suicide are phone‑based or online
helpline–style services?
(3) Given that
Peel CAMHS refers clients to the Peel Youth Medical Service, is this local
service funded by the Mental Health Commission; and, if not, why not?
(4) Given that
Youth Focus provides counselling in Mandurah only one day per week, with no
capacity to increase services due to limited funding does the minister consider
this an acceptable level of service for the Peel region?
(5) Why does the
government refuse to fund the local delivery of 3 Tier Youth Mental Health
Program services, when on‑the‑ground local services in the Peel region
are so scarce?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) There are currently no children on the
waitlist at the Peel Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. On average an
appointment can be offered within a week where required.
(2) Online and phone‑based counselling
is a popular, evidence‑based model of support for young people at risk of
suicide. It is both cost‑effective and accessible with many key national
and state‑funded organisations, including this model, as part of their
service provision. In addition, if an urgent mental health issue arises out of
hours, young people and their families are encouraged to present at an
emergency department or contact the CAMHS acute response team on 1800 048 636.
(3) The Mental
Health Commission does not fund GP down south for the Peel Youth Medical
Service 3 Tier Youth Mental Health Program. The Mental Health Commission has
reviewed the evaluation report for Peel Youth Medical Service and provided
feedback to GP down south on a number of occasions. Although the report
indicates that the program is achieving some successes, at present the Mental
Health Commission funds similar services under Suicide Prevention 2020. If
further funding was to be made available for such a service, the Mental Health
Commission would procure this service through an open market tender process, in
accordance with the State Supply Commission's open and effective
competition policy, as other organisations provide comparable services.
(4) Youth Focus
provides counselling in Mandurah three days a week, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, at
the Billy Dower Youth Centre. In addition, it has a weekly presence in four
schools, including one full day in Pinjarra Senior High School and half‑days
in Baldivis Secondary College, Halls Head College and John Tonkin College.
(5) The minister
does not accept the premise of the member's question. As noted, other
services are being provided to address the needs of this cohort. I refer to the
response provided to question 3.
(1) There are currently no children on the
waitlist at the Peel Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. On average an
appointment can be offered within a week where required.
(2) Online and phone‑based counselling
is a popular, evidence‑based model of support for young people at risk of
suicide. It is both cost‑effective and accessible with many key national
and state‑funded organisations, including this model, as part of their
service provision. In addition, if an urgent mental health issue arises out of
hours, young people and their families are encouraged to present at an
emergency department or contact the CAMHS acute response team on 1800 048 636.
(3) The Mental
Health Commission does not fund GP down south for the Peel Youth Medical
Service 3 Tier Youth Mental Health Program. The Mental Health Commission has
reviewed the evaluation report for Peel Youth Medical Service and provided
feedback to GP down south on a number of occasions. Although the report
indicates that the program is achieving some successes, at present the Mental
Health Commission funds similar services under Suicide Prevention 2020. If
further funding was to be made available for such a service, the Mental Health
Commission would procure this service through an open market tender process, in
accordance with the State Supply Commission's open and effective
competition policy, as other organisations provide comparable services.
(4) Youth Focus
provides counselling in Mandurah three days a week, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, at
the Billy Dower Youth Centre. In addition, it has a weekly presence in four
schools, including one full day in Pinjarra Senior High School and half‑days
in Baldivis Secondary College, Halls Head College and John Tonkin College.
(5) The minister
does not accept the premise of the member's question. As noted, other
services are being provided to address the needs of this cohort. I refer to the
response provided to question 3.
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