Innovation is key: Minister

Busselton health professionals and community groups have called for the support of Mental Health and Child Protection Minister Andrea Mitchell in addressing the region’s substance abuse, family violence and mental health issues.

The calls for help were sounded during Ms Mitchell’s visit to the region last week, in which she discussed State Government strategies and sought community feedback at events in Busselton, Dunsborough and Cowaramup.

During Thursday’s meeting in Busselton, South West Counselling chief executive Karen Somerville said the region’s issues were becoming more complex and she believed the population had grown too quickly for services to keep up.

Ms Somerville said local organisations were best positioned to address local issues, but feared they could soon disappear without adequate support.

“I really believe we need local services and I think testament to that is, when we had the fires in Margaret River and Northcliffe, we were very involved in the response,” she said.

“And local services know the community … we hear the community and we’re responsive in how we provide our services.”

Lamp chief executive Lorrae Loud said her organisation had worked with about 800 young people in the past four years in the lower South West through its youth outreach program, and had developed “tool kits” for young people dealing with self-harm and family violence. However, Ms Loud said a lack of State Government support meant Lamp was “running out of steam”.

“I’ve asked you to come and have a look at my program before,” Ms Loud directed to Ms Mitchell.

“Is it going to fall on deaf ears again, or are you going to come and have a look at my program?”

The minister praised the work of grassroots community groups for their responsiveness and innovation, and conceded “government cannot do it all”.

“If the community has a strong willingness to work together, you will achieve a lot more than if Government comes in and puts a rehabilitation centre here … thinking it will solve everything — no it won’t,” Ms Mitchell said. “It’s one aspect of it, but the community, the organisations and the people working together and being innovative is what makes a difference.”

A Busselton-based psychologist raised concerns with Ms Mitchell about difficulties referring patients to mental health services.

He said he was often advised to send patients to the hospital emergency department, which yielded minimal success.

“Sometimes they wait, sometimes they walk out ... and its becoming more and more of a problem,” he said.

Attendees urged Ms Mitchell to consider a raft of suggestions including earlier intervention, parental drug testing, and more television campaigns.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam initiated the minister’s visit after several conversations with concerned constituents.

Mrs Mettam said the State Government had increased funding to the sector by 83 per cent, but acknowledged there was always more to be done.