An independent evaluation of a community mental health program has found that participants had improved mental wellbeing, earlier identification of warning signs that may impact on their health and wellbeing, and greater confidence in seeking support when needed.
Uniting WA engaged the Centre for Social Impact UWA to conduct an independent evaluation of Recovery Options, a community-based mental health program that provides psychosocial support through two streams.
The Federal Government-funded program supports people experiencing mental health challenges by helping them build capacity and develop strategies to undertake in their daily lives.
Participants receive one-to-one support from mentors through either a rapid three-month program or a an extended six-to-18-month program. Recovery Options is designed to complement, not replace, clinical care. Referrals can be made by community organisations or health professionals, and people may self-refer.
The evaluation examined the effectiveness and key outcomes of the Recovery Options program, explored systemic factors influencing mental health recovery, and identified opportunities for improvement.
Centre for Social Impact UWA director Professor Paul Flatau said the report provided rare insight into what effective psychosocial support looked like on the ground.
"The most significant finding was the impact of relational care," Professor Flatau said. "Participants consistently identified trusting, long-term mentoring relationships as central to their recovery.
"These stable human connections created a sense of safety, rebuilt confidence, and enabled people to pursue goals they had previously felt were unattainable. In a system largely shaped by brief clinical interactions, this depth of engagement proved transformative."
Housing insecurity, rising living costs and gaps in welfare services were identified as major contributors to participants' distress. Recovery Options responded by addressing practical needs alongside emotional wellbeing, underscoring the value of holistic, person-centred care.
However, the findings also revealed structural shortcomings with many participants experiencing significant distress when exiting the program, describing discharge as a sense of loss or abandonment.
"The evaluation recommends longer-term flexible funding, stronger peer and community connections, improved discharge planning, and closer collaboration with grassroots organisations," Professor Flatau said. "These are pragmatic, evidence-based reforms - not ideological ones."
Uniting WA Co-CEO Michael Chester said community-based psychosocial supports such as Recovery Options were important considerations to support an already stretched mental health system strained by NDIS funding cuts and burgeoning community need.
"Across Uniting WA services, we see mental health challenges impacting on a person's wellbeing through all areas of their lives. Current issues adding to the mental health burden include cost of living challenges, housing insecurity and domestic violence," Mr Chester said.
"Psychosocial supports help people with persistent and distressing mental health challenges engage in daily life, build coping strategies, and stay connected to community and services.
"While these supports do not replicate or replace clinical treatment, they are essential to recovery.
"Government funding for programs like Recovery Options will ensure support for people facing mental health challenges that is sustainable and delivered in a meaningful way and to complement clinical care.
"The Recovery Options evaluation report by the Centre for Social Impact UWA shows community-based mental health programs are time and cost-effective and get good outcomes for people."
Of the 116 participants supported during the evaluation period, 28 per cent were supported by the short-term rapid response stream and 72 per cent were supported by the longer-term psychosocial support stream. Ranging in age from 19 to 67, just over two-thirds of participants identified as female, while 29 per cent identified as male and 3 per cent identified as other.
