Easier access to mental health services for Peel youth
Left to right: Working group members GP Down South Chair Paul Reilly, SMHS Program Manager Simone Kerrigan and lived experience representative Ethan O’Kane
The South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) Peel Mental Health Taskforce (external site) has been given the green light to take the next steps in rolling out the ‘no wrong door’ initiative for local young people.
Formed in 2021 to help manage growing concern for people needing mental health support in the Peel region, the taskforce aims to coordinate and improve mental health service delivery, to better prevent mental health crises and improve outcomes at a community level.
It is specifically targeted towards young people aged 12 to 25 years old who live in the Mandurah, Murray and Waroona local government areas.
SMHS Health Service Planner and Program Lead, Simone Kerrigan, explained the recent announcement of ongoing funding for the taskforce enables them to take the next steps in implementing the ‘no wrong door’ initiative.
“The ‘no wrong door’ approach is crucial to ensuring an integrated mental health system, where every door is the right door for young people seeking mental health help,” Simone said.
“It would mean that young people could seek assistance via the first person they go to, should that be a teacher, youth worker, their GP or mental health professional, and streamline their pathway to care.
“This approach removes the need for young people to repeatedly retell their story to professionals as they move through the system to find the most appropriate means for treatment.
“It’s about upskilling local professionals, streamlining processes and building relationships to ensure young people have easy access to high-quality mental health care no matter which door they take.”
The Peel Mental Health Taskforce is now resourced until 2026, thanks to joint funding by SMHS, Mental Health Commission (MHC), Department of Communities and WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), with assistance from the Peel Development Commission.
It comprises of representatives from:
- SMHS
- MHC
- WAPHA
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
- Department of Communities
- Department of Education
- WA Police
- Peel Health Campus
- Ramsay Health Care
- Peel Development Commission.
