- Step up/step down service opens in Albany to offer community-based mental health support
- The six-bed service helps prevent, or reduce, a stay in hospital
- McGowan Government commits $28 million in capital funding for five more regional mental health step up/step down centres
The McGowan Labor Government has delivered a new community mental health step up/step down service - a first of its kind in regional Western Australia.
The service was opened by Mental Health Minister Roger Cook, today, in Albany to provide additional mental health support to people in the Great Southern region.
Community mental health step up/step down services form a part of the McGowan Government's Plan for Mental Health and Mental Health Recovery Services. They provide short-term, residential support and individualised care for people following their discharge from hospital or assist people at the outset of a mental health episode so they can avoid being admitted to hospital.
The Albany six-bed service is operated by Neami National and is the first regional step up/step down service to open in Western Australia. The McGowan Government will invest $28 million in capital funding over the next three years to progress the establishment of community mental health step up/step down services in Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Karratha to better support local communities.
One in five Australians will be affected by a mental health issue each year and the vast majority of those people receive their care while living and working in their community, among their family and friends.
For support, call beyondblue on 1300 224 636 for 24/7 free counselling or Lifeline in a crisis situation on 13 11 14.
Visit http://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/stepupstepdown f
