The Healthway Government Agency is to provide $1.18 million in funding to boost the Mental Health Commission’s Alcohol.Think Again campaign.
The campaign helps to raise awareness about the serious health risks associated with alcohol, urging adults to reduce their alcohol use.
The partnership between Healthway and the Mental Health Commission is aimed at achieving a 10 per cent reduction in risky alcohol use by 2024, as recommended by the Sustainable Health Review.
Minister for Health, Roger Cook said evaluation of the Alcohol.Think Again campaign to date had demonstrated its success, with 14 per cent of high-risk drinkers in the State reporting having taken action to reduce their drinking as a result of the campaign.
“The Healthway funding will go towards a digital and television campaign, and a comprehensive effectiveness evaluation,” Mr Cook said.
“The campaign will help provide adults with the skills and confidence they need to reduce their alcohol use, building on the success we’ve seen so far.”
Minister for Mental Health, Stephen Dawson said approximately one third of Western Australians aged 16 to 44 drank at levels considered to be high risk for long-term harm.
“This new element of the Alcohol.Think Again campaign, scheduled for early next year, will build on the current advertising campaign, with specific messaging to increase knowledge about how to reduce alcohol use,” Mr Dawson said.
“By providing educational information to the community, we are empowering people to create healthier communities and reduce future impacts on communities across WA,” he said.
