❓ A parliamentary question addresses a cluster of suicides in Narrogin, particularly among young Aboriginal men, and seeks information on mental health service provision and funding. The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines existing services and planned collaborations.
AnsweredQoN 540Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NARROGIN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
(1) Is the minister aware that there have been six male suicides in Narrogin in the past five months? (2) Is the minister aware that five of the six men who have died are members of the Aboriginal community in Narrogin and that all are aged between 21 and 30 years? (3) Will the minister confirm that all six people were mental health clients? (4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY
(1) Is the minister aware that there have been six male suicides in Narrogin in the past five months? (2) Is the minister aware that five of the six men who have died are members of the Aboriginal community in Narrogin and that all are aged between 21 and 30 years? (3) Will the minister confirm that all six people were mental health clients? (4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(2) Is the minister aware that five of the six men who have died are members of the Aboriginal community in Narrogin and that all are aged between 21 and 30 years? (3) Will the minister confirm that all six people were mental health clients? (4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(3) Will the minister confirm that all six people were mental health clients? (4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(2) Is the minister aware that five of the six men who have died are members of the Aboriginal community in Narrogin and that all are aged between 21 and 30 years? (3) Will the minister confirm that all six people were mental health clients? (4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(3) Will the minister confirm that all six people were mental health clients? (4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(4) Can the minister deny that mental health workers in Narrogin do not have the capacity to do field work, and that if Aboriginal clients do not engage at the central operations centre, they will not be followed up? (5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(5) Can the minister confirm that, despite the great southern and the wheatbelt being known by the Department of Health as an area of concern and that intentional self-harm is the leading specific cause of injury and death among Aboriginal males, the local mental health service is not resourced to provide culturally specific suicide prevention strategies to Aboriginal people? (6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(6) Will the minister attend an urgent suicide crisis meeting in Narrogin this week; and if not, why not? (7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(7) Is the minister aware that the South West Aboriginal Medical Service provides Aboriginal-specific social, emotional and wellbeing services and is willing to extend and capable of extending these services to Narrogin if urgent crisis funding is made available? (8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(8) Will the minister provide urgent crisis funding to Narrogin and ensure that longer-term Aboriginal-specific suicide prevention services are provided in Narrogin? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(1)-(2) Yes. Four of the five males have been confirmed as Aboriginal. WA Country Health Service Great Southern is still awaiting confirmation on whether the fifth male was Aboriginal. The age bracket of these people is correct. (3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(3) One person was previously involved with the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service. That person was discharged in October 2007 and referred to Holyoake, the drug and alcohol service. One client was previously involved with Bentley Health Service but was discharged and is no longer active. None of the other males has had previous contact with the Department of Health’s mental health service. (4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(4) WA Country Health Service mental health services have the capacity to provide an outreach service for clients who meet the criteria for mental health services. Any mental health clients accessing services within the WA Country Health Service will be followed up. (5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(5) Staff of the WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service receive training in appropriate culturally specific issues on an ongoing basis and are resourced to provide appropriate suicide prevention strategies. (6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(6) No. Representatives from the Department of Health will attend this meeting. (7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(7) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is committed to working with Aboriginal medical services in the south west and wheatbelt to enhance mental health services to Aboriginal communities and individual clients. The level of resourcing is monitored to ensure that service priorities are addressed. (8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
(8) The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service is providing support to community members and has safety plans in place for those at risk as a result of the recent suicides. The WA Country Health Service Great Southern mental health service will also provide staff to work collaboratively with Great Southern Aboriginal Medical Service, Holyoake and the Department of Corrective Services to address ongoing risk in the local community.
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