Mental health
Good mental health is an essential component of wellbeing and is important for children from infancy and early childhood through to adolescence and young adulthood.
The Commissioner takes a broad view of mental health – from the development of mentally healthy children and young people through to the provision of services and programs for children and young people who are unwell.
In 2011 the Commissioner completed an Inquiry into the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Western Australia, which resulted in 54 recommendations.
In 2015, a review of the implementation of these recommendations was undertaken and 12 new recommendations were made to guide the planning and delivery of better mental health programs and services for children and young people into the future.
Reports
Co-designing technologies to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, November 2017
A report from the Commissioner's Geraldton and North Metropolitan Advisory Committees
Our Children Can’t Wait: Review of the implementation of recommendations of the 2011 Report of the Inquiry into the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in WA
Speaking out about mental health: The views of Western Australian children and young people
Position Statement on the Mental Health Bill 2011 and Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act 1996 (WA)
Issues papers
Mental health
Policy briefs
Prevention and early intervention for mental health problems and disorders in children and young people
Developed from the Commissioner's 2011 Mental Health Inquiry
Children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Developed from the Commissioner's 2011 Mental Health Inquiry
Children and young people with disability
Developed from the Commissioner's 2011 Mental Health Inquiry
Children and young people in regional and remote areas
Developed from the Commissioner's 2011 Mental Health Inquiry
Submissions
Submission to Mental Health Commission – Working Together: An Engagement Framework for the Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Sector: 2018-2025
Submission to the Mental Health Commission with feedback on their draft consumer engagement framework for the mental health, alcohol and other drug sector.
Submission to Mental Health Commission - feedback on draft Mental Health Promotion, Mental Illness and Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Plan 2018-2025
Submission to the Mental Health Commission with feedback on their draft promotion and prevention plan for the mental health, alcohol and other drug sector.
Submission to the Western Australian Sustainable Health Review
Submission to the WA State Government’s Sustainable Health review
Letter to National Mental Health Commission - Engage and Participate in Mental Health project
Letter to National Mental Health Commission with feedback on consumer engagement and participation approaches with children and young people in the mental health sector.
More information
Report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Young Minds Matter survey