Hon. Sally Talbot inquires about state-funded specialist mental health support for women experiencing domestic violence in several WA towns and the mental health first aid training provided to women's refuge staff in Albany, Busselton, and Bunbury. The Minister's response indicates a lack of specific funded services but general mental health support availability.

AnsweredQoN 466Legislative Council
Asked
6 May 2015
Portfolio
Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

FAMILY AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — SPECIALIST MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES
466. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Mental Health:
(1) What
state-funded specialist mental health support services are available to women
experiencing or escaping family and domestic violence in each of Manjimup,
Bridgetown, Busselton, Collie and Denmark?
(2) To date,
how many staff at the women's refuges in Albany, Busselton and Bunbury
have been provided with mental health first aid training?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) The Mental
Health Commission does not currently fund specific specialist mental health
support services for women experiencing or escaping family and domestic
violence in these areas. Specialist mental health support services are
available for all residents, including those who are experiencing or escaping
family and domestic violence, based on individual needs at any given time.
(2) The women's
refuge in Albany is operated by Anglicare, which supports staff to complete a
certificate IV in community service work that includes mental health units. The
women's refuge in Busselton is operated by Communicare Inc, which
employs a qualified mental health counsellor to train and supervise all staff
regarding issues of mental health. The women's refuge in Bunbury is
operated by South West Refuge Inc, which support staff to complete a
certificate IV in community service work that includes mental health units.

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