The WA Government has provided the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) with funding of $1.695 million over the next two years to distribute to more than 75 non-government not-for-profit agencies.

 

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said that delivering resources into the non-government sector will help to avoid learned helpnessness that government intervention can sometimes create.

 

“The funding will encourage greater flexibility for providers to tailor care and recovery around the person, rather than the person having to fit into the services’ model.”

 

By accessing local, national and international expertise, funds will develop workforce training for staff to better respond to the needs of people with a mental illness and their families. 

 

Training will include implementation of the new National Mental Health Standards, leadership training and Mental Health First Aid.

 

The Minister said the extra money was an acknowledgement by the new Mental Health Commission of the pivotal role WAAMH and the non-government sector played in helping people recover from mental illness.

 

Smaller agencies or those that operate in regional or remote locations, could benefit from close partnering with other agencies to share knowledge and resources. 

 

A database of existing services within the non-government sector will also be designed as a directory for consumers.