❓ Mr. L'Estrange questions the Minister for Health about potential impacts of staff cuts at the Mental Health Commission on suicide prevention efforts, given WA's high suicide rate. The Minister acknowledges the issue and highlights ongoing funding for suicide prevention programs.
AnsweredQoN 360Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION —
STAFFING
360. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question.
Last year, Western Australia
recorded its highest suicide rate in more than 25 years, with 409 Western Australians
taking their own lives. How will the minister ensure these staff cuts will not
impact on the capacity of the Mental Health Commission at a time when more
resources are desperately needed?
STAFFING
360. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the minister for Health:
I have a supplementary question.
Last year, Western Australia
recorded its highest suicide rate in more than 25 years, with 409 Western Australians
taking their own lives. How will the minister ensure these staff cuts will not
impact on the capacity of the Mental Health Commission at a time when more
resources are desperately needed?
AnswerView source ↗
One of the features of this budget
is to fund the ongoing work that we are doing in suicide prevention. The member
is right. This is a wicked issue that impacts on our community, and I acknowledge
the member for Dawesville and his earlier question about suicides in the
Kimberley. Everyone in this chamber is committed to addressing issues around
suicide, and that is the reason we have funded those programs in this budget.
We will soon have a comprehensive response to the State Coroner's
report on those unfortunate suicides in the Kimberley. This is an issue that will
impact on us, and on the next government and the next government after that. We
must continue to invest significantly in the sorts of resources we need to put
downward pressure on suicide.
is to fund the ongoing work that we are doing in suicide prevention. The member
is right. This is a wicked issue that impacts on our community, and I acknowledge
the member for Dawesville and his earlier question about suicides in the
Kimberley. Everyone in this chamber is committed to addressing issues around
suicide, and that is the reason we have funded those programs in this budget.
We will soon have a comprehensive response to the State Coroner's
report on those unfortunate suicides in the Kimberley. This is an issue that will
impact on us, and on the next government and the next government after that. We
must continue to invest significantly in the sorts of resources we need to put
downward pressure on suicide.
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