The WA government will boost the mental health budget by many millions to modernise patient care and expand services.

April 27, 2023

The Western Australian government will boost mental health spending by $420 million to modernise patient care and expand services.

The funding, to be included in the 2023-24 state budget in May, increases the state’s annual mental health spend to $1.4 billion.

“This significant new investment in expanding services and infrastructure at Graylands Hospital is a major step forward to contemporise forensic mental health services in WA,” Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said on Thursday.

“It is important that we give the community and everyone access to care when they need it in the most appropriate setting to maintain their mental health and recover from mental health episodes.”

Ms Sanderson said the McGowan government had increased spending on mental health by 57 per cent since it came to office in 2017.

The new investment includes $218.9 million to upgrade ageing facilities at Graylands and provide more then 50 additional forensic mental health beds.

Mental health services will receive a $201 million funding increase for more than 40 additional staff, the refurbishment of a Perth Children’s Hospital Ward, regional services and an acute care response team trial.

Infant, children and adolescent mental health services, such as the Touchstone service that provides specialised intensive treatment to children with complex personality disorders, will also be expanded.

An additional 10 Aboriginal mental health staff will also be funded to support Indigenous children and families access mental health services.

The boost to spending includes a further $8 million for community mental health treatment services and new funding of $9.8 million will go towards suicide prevention initiatives in WA.

“We recognise the importance of youth mental health initiatives, secure mental health beds and suicide prevention in supporting community health and wellbeing,” Ms Sanderson said.