The WA Country Health Service’s Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service has celebrated its first year of operations.
Connected across 83 sites spanning 2.2 million square kilometres, the 24/7 support service allowed frontline clinicians to care for more than 1,000 patients in its first year.
Of these cases, more than 80 per cent were able to receive care in their local area, close to family, friends and broader support networks.
Minister for Mental Health, Roger Cook said the service was rolled out to further support on-the-ground mental health services.
“Through the Command Centre, the Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service supports rural and remote clinicians to care for people of all ages experiencing a mental health crisis or drug and alcohol issues,” Mr Cook said.
“The service also provides mental health training and information to 83 hospitals and health services as well as Silver Chain facilities.”
He said the service had helped improve cultural security by enabling people to stay closer to home and closer to their social and support networks.
“There are more than 20 mental health experts manning the Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service and their work and that of our frontline clinicians has undoubtedly seen positive outcomes for residents of country Western Australia,” Mr Cook said.
