- Cook Labor Government delivering mental health boost in 2025-26 State Budget to support WA's growing population
- $39.5 million partnership with Ngala for perinatal and infant mental health support
- $13.8 million for Bunbury Acute Care and Response Team
- Great Southern Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre to be established with $12.4 million funding
- More mental health care for the Goldfields with $9.9 million investment
- $12.2 million for rural and remote support through Virtual ICAMHS Hub
- $10.8 million for Kimberley health initiatives, including $8.7 million for the Derby Wellness Centre
- Planning WA's first residential eating disorder facility with $5 million
- $4 million for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program Support Fund
The Cook Labor Government will support Western Australia's growing population with $107.6 million in mental health support for young children, adults and families as part of the 2025-26 State Budget.
That funding includes $39.5 million to deliver free public access to Ngala's Residential Parenting Service, providing mental health early intervention and prevention support to families going through a challenging time following the birth of a child.
The service provides holistic help and advice from a variety of health and mental health experts, including child health nurses, psychologists and lactation consultants, to ensure the best outcomes for babies, mums and their entire families.
In the regions, $13.8 million will establish an Acute Care and Response Team (ACRT) for Bunbury, comprising a mobile team of mental health experts who can travel to a patient's home preventing harm and reducing emergency department (ED) presentations.
ACRTs also provide non-emergency outreach, conduct check-ins and provide follow-up support to children and adolescents on discharge from the ED.
Major mental health and alcohol and other drug initiatives for regional WA funded in the Budget include:
- $9.9 million to improve mental health service access in the Goldfields by transitioning the Kalgoorlie Step Up/Step Down service into a public mental health facility;
- $12.4 million for the establishment and operation of a residential Great Southern Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre;
- $12.2 million to enable virtual access to specialist mental health care through Virtual Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Hub (VICAMHS);
- $10.8 million for key Kimberley Health initiatives including:
- $8.7 million to deliver the Derby Wellness Centre, a community-led service that will co-locate key health services and support early intervention of mental health and alcohol and other drug issues; and
- 2 million to progress planning for a low-medium alcohol and other drug withdrawal facility in Broome.
- $5 million towards planning for WA's first Residential Eating Disorder Facility.
Additionally, $4 million will also be put towards supporting good mental health in the workplace, through the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program Support Fund.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Western Australia's growing population means we must continue to invest in essential services - including mental health programs.
"That's why, as part of this Budget, we're investing millions of dollars in mental health initiatives throughout the State, including in regional WA, where we are will deliver major alcohol and other drug initiatives.
"My government is laser focused on making WA the healthiest State in that nation, and that's what this Budget will help deliver."
As stated by Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"This Budget demonstrates that the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australians is a priority for the State Government.
"Investment in the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australians is an investment in the future of WA."
