Official opening of $200,000 mental health service in Busselton

24/4/97

Health Minister Kevin Prince today officially opened the new $200,000 mental health service in Busselton.

"This new facility is a tangible demonstration of the State Government's commitment to providing much improved mental health services throughout Western Australia," Mr Prince said.

"We have committed $126 million over four years to ensure people in our community, who suffer from a mental illness, receive the best possible care no matter where they live."

The former nurses' quarters were redeveloped to provide the new mental health facility which will provide services to five South-West districts.

"The refurbishment of these premises provides the South-West mental health service with a clearly defined base and is an excellent facility for the delivery of clinical mental health services to the southern area of the State," Mr Prince said.

"It will offer a greatly improved range of services to adults, adolescents and children suffering from mental health problems.

"Local residents will now be able to access a wider range of local services staffed by local people rather than having to travel to the metropolitan area for assistance."

Services at the new facility include:

·         community mental health nursing;

·         occupational therapy psychiatry;

·         suicide intervention and counselling;

·         social work; and -

·         clinical psychology.

Mr Prince said one in five people in Western Australia would suffer from a mental illness at some stage in their life.

"The historical stigma associated with mental illness is starting to break down but there is still a long way to go," he said.

"Community facilities such as this will not only further assist the break-down of that stigma but provide a much needed service to so many in our community."

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 221 1377