Official opening of Swan Valley mental health services for children

29/4/97

Mental health services in Western Australia took another positive step forward today with the official opening of the new Swan Valley Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

Health Minister Kevin Prince said the new $250,000 community-based program was a clear demonstration of the State Government's commitment to provide much improved mental health services throughout Western Australia.

"The need in the Swan Valley area for this service is self-evident and the State has recognised that need and provided the facilities," Mr Prince said.

"This financial year, the State will spend $126 million on new mental health initiatives and over the next three years, $40 million will be spent on the implementation of the State mental health plan.

"There is a great need in this State to develop and evaluate new promotional, prevention and intervention programs to help people of all ages who suffer from a mental illness."

Mr Prince said the new Swan Valley service in Spring Park Road was aimed at treating children with severe mental or emotional problems.

It would provide the equivalent of 2.5 staff and offer assistance to children and their families on a range of issues including eating problems, aggression and anger, self-esteem problems, grief, social skills and peer relationship problems.

Mr Prince said the youth therapy service would address difficulties experienced by adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years of age.

It would offer psycho-social assessments, education and support for families, relatives and friends of young people, a specialised service for Aboriginal youth and a variety of other services.

It was expected to handle about 100 cases in its first six months of operation.

Due to a lack of local mental health services, young people from the Swan district were previously referred to a clinic at Warwick or an East Victoria Park campus.

"This situation was not acceptable and it is the State's intention to where possible, provide necessary services where they are needed," Mr Prince said.

"This new facility will have a direct link with established State services and ensure a high quality delivery of mental health services to the Swan area.

"It is pleasing to see the Swan Health Service is successfully reducing its reliance on inner city health services and improving access to local services."

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 221 1377