The Mental Health Commission is conducting an online survey asking Western Australians to have their say about what they need to stay mentally healthy.
Timed to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October), the survey forms part of a community consultation to develop a new WA Mental Health Wellbeing Framework.
The Commission said it was the first community mental health survey in the State to focus specifically on wellbeing and would be open until the end of the month.
Minister for Mental Health, Stephen Dawson said the Commission was developing the Framework to identify initiatives that optimised wellbeing; kept people feeling good emotionally and functioning well psychologically and socially; and prevented mental health conditions.
“These initiatives could then be delivered across the whole community or in settings where people learn, work and take part in sport and recreational activities,” Mr Dawson said.
“The Framework will also provide a guide for Government Agencies, community organisations and private industry to progress their own mental health wellbeing initiatives.”
The Minister said it was vital for communities to not only provide treatment for people experiencing a mental health crisis, but also to focus on helping people gain and maintain a really good level of wellbeing.
“Research shows that actively promoting and encouraging mental wellbeing can make a difference to people’s mental health, preventing mental health conditions and alcohol and other drug-related issues in the community,” Mr Dawson said.
The Commission has established an Expert Reference Group, consisting of experts in mental health prevention and promotion, to guide development of the Framework.
The online survey is available at this PS News link.
