Increase community mental health support in Geraldton
The McGowan Government
Make mental health the number 1 issue this State Election!
Each year, more people are presenting to the Geraldton emergency department for their mental health challenges. In 2018, there was a 68% increase in people presenting to Geraldton ED in distress*.
For the period 2011-2015 suicide was the leading cause of death in the Midwest for 15-24 year olds. This has a devastating impact on friends, families and the whole community, while 13% of adults in the Midwest over 16 years of age report having a mental health diagnosis.
It doesn't have to be this way. With the right amount of support in the community, people can access person-centred care that can decrease their need to go to hospital. But this needs the right amount of funding from the State Government.
Community mental health services work to support people to secure jobs, form relationships, build fulfilling lives, develop skills and interests, prevent hospital admissions, and promote healing - while people are living well in their own homes.
The WA State election is a few short weeks away and we need you to make mental health the leading issue voters care about so please sign and share this petition across the Geraldton community!
Sponsored by
To:
The McGowan Government
From:
[Your Name]
We the Geraldton community and our supporters far and wide are calling on your Government to immediately increase State Government funding into community mental health and prevention services.
Each year, more people are presenting to the Geraldton emergency department for their mental health challenges. In 2018, there was a 68% increase in people presenting to Geraldton ED in distress.
For the period 2011-2015 suicide was the leading cause of death in the Midwest for 15-24 year olds. This has a devastating impact on friends, families and the whole community, while 13% of adults in the Midwest over 16 years of age report having a mental health diagnosis.
The WA Government's ten year mental health plan says we need 163,000 hours of community support, yet only 2,468 hours are being delivered across the Midwest by the state government.
It doesn't have to be this way. We know there has been significant increases to mental health hospital beds and a step up step down in Geraldton, which are all important initiatives. But our community also needs these services to be matched with initiatives and programs for community mental health support.
Asks:
• A five-fold increase in investment in Geraldton community mental health support services that would assist a person before and after hospital admission and to reduce the need for admission;
• A five-fold increase in funding for mental health prevention in Geraldton;
• Early intervention and recovery support for high school aged young people in Geraldton aged 12-16 years that is close to school, facilitated through the school, or has active outreach into the community;
• Extra resources for people living in regional, rural and remote areas that focusses on mental health through education, employment and skills;
• Early intervention and recovery community based neighbourhood centres in rural and remote areas;
• Peer recovery support for family members and carers of people with mental health challenges;
• Crisis and recovery support for young people with high acuity mental health issues and multiple unmet needs;
• A warm line that is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year that a person can call to talk to or message with a trained peer, without having to be in crisis.
This petition is organised by the Prevent Support Heal campaign, which is advocating for increased State Government funding into community mental health and prevention. For more information visit www.preventsupportheal.org.au