Strategic Alignment

The National Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines are primarily intended to inform decision makers, including employers and funding bodies and to support change across the mental health sector by improving understanding of the benefits of the Lived Experience Workforce and by supporting employers to assess their local readiness and prioritise activities that support successful implementation.

Click here to access the guidelines.

This publication provides a clear framework for strengthening leadership, governance, service delivery, and workforce capacity. It highlights mental health’s connection to social and structural determinants—such as poverty, housing, education, and employment—offering actionable strategies to address these, combat stigma and discrimination, and expand access to care. It emphasises the crucial role of people with lived experience in shaping inclusive, responsive systems and advocates for cross-sector collaboration to deliver holistic support, integrating lifestyle, and physical health, psychological, social, and economic interventions while promoting well-being and prevention.

Access this WHO resource here.

The first national strategy developed by the National Suicide Prevention Office. Co-designed with people with lived and living experience, it sets out national priorities for suicide prevention.

Read the strategy here.

The Mental Health, Alcohol, and Other Drug Workforce Strategic Framework 2020-2025 was developed by the WA Mental Health Commission to guide the growth and enhancement of a qualified and skilled workforce. This workforce is dedicated to delivering personalised, high-quality mental health, alcohol, and other drug services and programs for the Western Australian community.

Find out more about the Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Workforce Strategic Framework 2020-2025.

The Mental Health Commission released the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025 (Plan) on 7 May 2019.

Upon the release of the Plan in December 2015, the Mental Health Commission committed to conducting scheduled updates and reviews of the Plan over its lifespan.

The Plan Update 2018 is the first scheduled remodelling of the optimal level and mix of services for Western Australian mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services as outlined in the Plan. While the estimated optimal mix and levels of service have been revised, the Plan remains the primary reference for mental health and AOD services development, particularly as it relates to strategic priorities.

Find out more about the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025.

The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement took effect on 8 March, 2022, following signatures from the Commonwealth Treasurer and several jurisdictions. Western Australia signed the agreement on April 27, 2022.

The Bilateral Schedule on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Western Australia was signed by the Western Australian Minister for Mental Health on April 10, 2022. This schedule involves a $61.5 million investment in Western Australia for mental health and suicide prevention over four years starting from 2022/23. The funding will support:

1. A Child Health and Wellbeing Hub
2. Statewide Aftercare Services
3. Eating Disorder Services in the East Metropolitan Health Service.

Find out more about the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.

The Suicide Prevention Framework takes into consideration the vast geographical distances between regions and allows for flexibility in delivery and for voices to be heard, so programs and services have the greatest chance of success.
The guiding principles and priority areas in the Framework provide a roadmap, outlining the need for commonalities such as better data collection, support structures, capability, and resources.

Find out more about The Western Australian Suicide Prevention Framework 2021-2025.

On 16 December 2020 the Young People’s Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Priorities for Action 2020-2025 (YPPA) was launched.

The YPPA guides the WA Government, the Mental Health Commission and other agencies, the mental health and AOD sector, and other stakeholders across the community, in supporting and responding to the mental health and AOD needs of young people aged 12 to 24. Children aged 0 to 11 are the focus of the Ministerial Taskforce into Public Mental Health Services for Infants, Children and Adolescents aged 0 to 18 in Western Australia (ICA Taskforce).

Find out more about the Young People’s Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Priorities for Action 2020-2025.

The National Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines are primarily intended to inform decision makers, including employers and funding bodies and to support change across the mental health sector by improving understanding of the benefits of the Lived Experience workforce and by supporting employers to assess their local readiness and prioritise activities that support successful implementation.

Click here to access the guidelines.

The Inquiry Report explores mental health influences, their impact on community and workplace participation, and economic implications. It offers recommendations to Australian and state/territory governments for enhancing mental health across age and cultural groups. Reforms encompass workplaces, education, justice, community organizations, and healthcare. The final report was submitted to the Australian Government on June 30, 2020, and publicly released on November 16, 2020.

Find out more about The Productivity Commission’s Inquiry Report – Mental Health 2020.

The objective of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.

For the first time, the National Agreement has been developed in genuine partnership between Australian governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (the Coalition of Peaks).

Find out more about the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

An independent review panel was established by the Minister for Health to review clinical governance in our public mental health system.

The review panel, chaired by Dr Martin Chapman, provided a final report to the Minister in October 2019 that outlined recommendations for mental health clinical governance and clinical leadership, in addition to options for proposed clinical governance structures.

Find out more about the Clinical Governance Review.

The Sustainable Health Review is a comprehensive assessment and planning initiative aimed at enhancing the healthcare system in Western Australia. It focuses on improving patient care, fostering innovation, and ensuring the sustainability of the healthcare system.

Find out more about The Sustainable Health Review.

On 17 January 2022, the Minister for Health appointed an expert panel to conduct an independent governance review of the Health Services Act 2016 (the Act) (external site).

The purpose of the governance review was to examine the operational and practical effectiveness of governance structures set out in the Act and their impact on patient experience and outcomes.

The efficiency and effectiveness of the WA health system has a direct impact on the health of Western Australians. It is critical to investigate and understand whether the current governance arrangements and operational instruments specified within the Act are operating in a way that is optimal and enables the best possible outcomes for patients and their families now and into the future.

Find out more about the Independent Governance Review of the Health Services Act 2016.