Aboriginal Mental Health Program

By combining concepts of social and emotional wellbeing and Aboriginal ways of working, Aboriginal Mental Health Workers improve treatment outcomes for Aboriginal clients within both community mental health services and inpatient care.

Our multidisciplinary team aims to assist people from birth to end of life and enhance the quality of life of carers and their families through the provision of culturally appropriate support, education and referral to other services.

Our clinics are based in Northam, Narrogin, Merredin, and Gingin with visiting services available at other Wheatbelt health services as required. We also provide outreach services through telephone and video consultations. 

For more information: Wheatbelt Mental Health Service: Aboriginal Mental Health brochure.

 

Northam

 

How to find us:
We are located at the Wheatbelt Northam Mental Health Service.

Opening hours:
8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays. 

Parking:
Parking is limited on site but there is off-street parking available on Minson Avenue. 


Narrogin

Front of Narrogin Health Service 

How to find us:
We are located in Ambulatory Care at Narrogin Health Service.

Opening hours:
8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays.



Merredin

Front entrance to Merredin Health Service 

How to find us:
We are located in Ambulatory Care at Merredin Health Service.

Opening hours:
8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, by appointment only.

 


Gingin

 

How to find us:
We are located at the Gingin Community Mental Health Office.

Opening hours:
8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, by appointment only.

 

 

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

The CCAG ensures that consumers and carers are heard, acknowledged and valued in the design, development and delivery of mental health services. To contact the CCAG, email wheatbeltCAG@gmail.com. 

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: 03/10/2023