Mental Health Co-Response launches in the Midwest

An innovative new partnership between WA Country Health Service (WACHS), WA Police Force (WA Police) and the Mental Health Commission (MHC) is aimed at improving outcomes for people living with mental illness and their families in the Midwest.

The Midwest Mental Health Co-response (MHCR) Program is a joint initiative which allows WA Police, mental health clinicians and Aboriginal mental health workers to jointly attend crisis situations where mental illness is identified as a likely factor.

The MHCR Program aims to divert people experiencing mental illness away from emergency departments and the criminal justice system to a mental health service where they can access the treatment and support they need.

WACHS Executive Director Mental Health Paula Chatfield described the MHCR program as a new way of de-escalating situations for people facing a mental health crisis.

“We are focussed on early intervention closer to home and reducing the need for people to be taken to an emergency department for assistance”, Chatfield said.

“One in five Australians are affected by a mental health disorder each year, so we need to ensure we are providing access to culturally secure and appropriate community-based services that help people manage their mental illness and recover close to support networks, friends and family.”

The Midwest MHCR mobile team will consist of police officers supported by authorised mental health practitioners and Aboriginal mental health workers.

The mobile team will respond in person to mental health and welfare related incidents within the Geraldton region in unmarked police vehicles.

The Midwest Mental Health Co-Response program will operate 6 days a week, 1pm to 11pm commencing 1 September and can be accessed by phoning either 000 or 131 444.