Mental health

We invest approximately half of our program expenditure into the delivery of primary mental health services.

Download our Mental Health Strategy Download our Mental Health & AOD Report Card Download our Suicide Prevention Strategy Head to Health

WA Primary Health Alliance commissions services from a wide range of providers including community managed organisations and health service providers. Our mental health commissioning is underpinned by five priorities:

Increase access to primary mental health care across Western Australia
Enhance system integration
Focus on person centred, holistic mental health care
Plan and commission mental health care that improves mental health outcomes for people with the greatest need
Continuously improve the quality, safety and cultural competency of primary mental health care.

In addition to our role as a commissioner of mental health services, WA Primary Health Alliance is committed to building the capability and capacity of the primary health care sector to respond to the needs of people experiencing mental health issues.

We are working with our partners to achieve an integrated mental health service system, ensuring people can access excellent care closer to home that best meets their mental health needs.

For referral information, visit HealthPathways WA

WA Foundational Plan

A joint plan for mental health and alcohol and other drug services across the Western Australian health system will help people seeking support to get the right help, regardless of their first point of access.

WA Primary Health Alliance led the development of the WA Foundational Plan for Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, and Suicide Prevention which is the first priority area under the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.

Commonwealth Guidance Materials

The Australian Government provides guidance materials that determine the scope of mental health activity for Primary Health Networks. Recently updated guidance for Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Programs can be found here.

You may want to read more about our other priority areas

Suicide prevention

Each year, we invest in the delivery of health services relating to the prevention of suicide.

As part of the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network initiative, we operate across the state, improving access to healthcare. Good health is our greatest common asset; poor health our greatest social risk.

With 85% of Australians knowing someone who has ended their own life, suicide remains the leading cause of death for Western Australians aged between 15 and 44. In Western Australia, General Practitioners are the most frequently accessed health professional by people who attempt suicide or who go on to end their lives.

We have invested in numerous programs that are enhancing the recognition and effective management of depression and suicidality in primary care settings.

We were the first to bring to Australia the Alliance Against Depression framework, which is an evidence-based approach to optimising the care of people with depression and preventing suicidal behaviour through a collaborative community-based intervention framework.