The Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Nathan Gibson, is to undertake a review into the State’s public mental health system following the death of 13-year-old Kate Savage, who died recently.
Dr Gibson’s review is to focus on clinical care, and explore how to improve mental health services for young people across inpatient and community-based clinical services.
His findings will form part of the broader Young People Priority Framework which is already under way by the Mental Health Commission.
Minister for Mental Health, Roger Cook said the framework would be produced by the end of the year and would provide an overview of current services, identify gaps and make recommendations for key actions.
“It will be developed in close partnership with the sector and stakeholders, and overseen by the Mental Health Executive Committee and the Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Council,” Mr Cook said.
“We know there is more to do to better support young people in Western Australia, and this recent case has highlighted that the current system does not cater for all.”
He said it was important to support young people to address mental health issues early, before they became worse.
“The Government identified mental health services for young people as a priority area,” the Minister said.
“The Young People Priority Framework will guide the sector in how to better support and respond to the needs of young people aged 12-to-24 — which is especially relevant as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
