Older Adult Mental Health Service

The South West Older Adult Mental Health Service provides dedicated community psychiatric care including assessment and recovery for people aged 65 and over, or 55 and over for Aboriginal people, living in the community or residential care.

This team works closely with other services such as GPs and nursing homes. Our clinic is based in Bunbury with outreach services provided at Bridgetown, Busselton, Collie and Margaret River.

 

Bunbury

How to find us:
The Bunbury Older Adult Mental Health Service Clinic is located behind Bunnings in the Homemaker Centre. 

Parking:
There is parking available in front of the building.

Opening hours:
8:30am – 4:30pm weekdays, excluding public holidays


Busselton

Busselton Health Campus 

How to find us:
Our clinic is located at the Busselton Health Campus. Enter via the main entrance, then turn left and follow the corridor to the end reception.

Opening hours:
8:30am – 4:30pm weekdays, excluding public holidays  



Bridgetown

 

How to find us:
We are located at the Bridgetown Community Mental Health Clinic. 

Opening hours:
8:30am – 4:30pm weekdays, excluding public holidays  

 


Collie

 

How to find us:
We are located at the Collie Health Service outpatient clinic to the Emergency Department. Please come to the main hospital reception and ask for the outpatient clinic if you can’t find us.

Opening hours:
9am to 4pm on a Wednesday. Contact the Bunbury Community Mental Health Clinic to make an appointment.


Margaret River

 

How to find us:
We are located at the Margaret River Mental Health Clinic. 

Opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays, excluding public holidays  



How can I get a referral?

There are several ways you can be referred to our service including:

  • Self-referral – where you walk in or ring and ask for help.
  • Family / carers referral – where someone who cares for you asks for help.
  • Doctors, GPs, hospital or other primary care providers – when they feel specialised services may help you.
  • Other service providers – schools, court, government agencies, support groups, private counselling, psychology or support services and non-profit organisations.

What happens when you are referred?

Following the Choice and Partnership Approach, we work with patients and service providers to choose the right care plan based on the individual’s strengths and goals.

Once we have received your referral, it is reviewed on the same business day. You will be contacted to book an appointment with a member of our team. If we are unable to reach you via phone, we will send a letter inviting you to come in and see us.

 

What to expect at the first appointment?

The first appointment usually takes an hour, where we aim to:

  • Understand some of the problems you are facing and begin working on an action plan together.
  • Discuss options for help and treatment that we or other agencies can offer. 
  • Connect you with an appropriate person or service to suit your specific circumstances.

During this appointment, you will make a choice about how you want to work towards your goals, such as:

  • Returning to your GP
  • Self-help material
  • Group or individual treatment
  • An assessment with a psychiatrist
  • Referral to other community-based services. 

The team will treat all information in confidence. Your information will remain at the mental health clinic. Permission is sought in writing before contacting other agencies unless there are concerns about safety.

Information may be shared with other mental health services that are providing care to you. Find out more about your rights and responsibilities:

If you have a comment, complaint, or compliment to make about our service then please do not hesitate to let us know.

In person

  • Talk to the staff caring for you; or
  • Ask to speak to a senior staff member or our service manager; or
  • Ask to speak with an Aboriginal Mental Health Worker.

Email us

  • Tell us what happened, where and when with dates and times, if possible.
  • Include information on who was involved.
  • Let us know what you would like to see happen because of your feedback.
  • Please include your contact details if you would like someone to contact you.
  • You can also contact the South West Executive Director with your feedback directly.

Online

You can publicly and anonymously share your story about your experience through the Care Opinion website. The website allows you to tell us what is important to you, and we can show how we are listening and responding to patients, carers and families to improve our services. 

You can also complete surveys and questionnaires about your experience with us so we can continue to improve our services. Taking part in the surveys is voluntary and anonymous:

Resolving complaints

You can reach out to independent authorities to help resolve any complaints you have, including:

Involving Consumers and Carers 

The South West Mental Health Consumer and Carer Advisory Group (the SWCCAG) is a diverse group of consumers and carers with a lived experience of mental health issues who work in partnership with the South West Mental Health Service to improve mental health services for the South West community. 

The SWCCAG ensures consumers and carers are heard, acknowledged and valued in the design, development and delivery of mental health services. They are committed to reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health issues. The group provides feedback, advice and representation to services for people experiencing mental illness and those who care for people with mental illness.

To contact the SWCCAG, please call the Lived Experience Coordinator on (08) 9722 1576.

If you’re looking for after hours or immediate access to mental health support, you can call a helpline:

For more information, visit WA Mental Health Commission. 
Last Updated: 09/08/2024