Mental health is often a lifelong journey, requiring continuous support and proactive measures to maintain long-term health.

With WA’s suicide rate higher than the national average and the Kimberley region accounting for one of the highest suicide rates in the country, urgent action is needed.

By prioritising funding for prevention and early intervention when people are at risk, we can pave the way for better outcomes from childhood through older age, and save on long-term costs associated with untreated mental health.

For every dollar invested in preventive health, there is an estimated return of $14.30 in savings on healthcare costs.  

Additionally, up to 38 per cent of the disease burden can be avoided by addressing key risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, smoking/vaping, and alcohol or drug misuse.

This was backed up in the 2019 Sustainable Health Review, which promoted a cultural shift away from a predominantly reactive, acute, and hospital-based health system to one with a greater focus on public health and prevention.

The review recommended increasing investment in prevention to at least five per cent of mental health expenditure by July 2029.

The current prevention budget in 2024-25 is $33 million, which represents only 2.43 per cent of the Mental Health Commission’s budget.

This amount falls to $26 million, or 1.66 per cent, in 2027-28.

With two in five people likely to experience a mental health illness in their lives, this is not good enough.

The WA Liberals know prioritising mental health is not only important for individual well-being but for a functional health system.

Our young people are at particularly high risk with 75 per cent of all mental health problems occurring before the age of 25.

This age group is also the most likely to intentionally self-harm with suicide the leading cause of death.

It’s time for a different approach.

Investing into targeted, culturally appropriate early intervention and prevention programs is crucial in addressing this endemic.

Only a WA Liberal Government will make it a priority.

The WA Liberals believe the earlier we identify and seek help for health issues, the better the long-term outcome.

Mental health is no different.  

We are strongly committed to changing the Cook Labor Government’s costly, hospital-based approach to mental health and mental illness care, to reflect the value of delivering preventative and appropriate early intervention services, wherever you live in Western Australia.

This is a significant commitment, but the WA Liberals believe it is imperative in addressing the mental health crisis in our State.

A WA Liberal Government will commit $40 million for a range of mental health strategies and activities, ensuring prevention is at the forefront of our mental health approach.

An additional $40 million will be specifically allocated towards suicide prevention programs in a targeted effort to reduce the number of preventable deaths each year.

This will enable the implementation of programs designed to meet the specific needs of diverse and high-risk groups.

It will include cultural healing programs for Indigenous Australians that incorporate traditional and community-led

practices run by elders or culturally competent professionals. Empowering local communities to develop and lead suicide prevention programs will be integral in stemming the number of deaths, particularly in regional and remote areas.

Early intervention programs for children and youths that educate parents, caregivers and educators on recognising early signs will be supported with youth mental health hubs that create safe spaces for young people to access services and peer support.

Digital and inclusive mental health will be a priority with expanded counselling and support services and workplace training programs on managing stress.

Public awareness campaigns and research funding to understand the contributing factors to suicide will also be key to reducing the stigma around mental illness and encouraging people to seek help early.

Shifting the focus of how we identify and treat mental health conditions will require a whole-of-community response.

Only the WA Liberal Party is committed to driving this change for our future generations.