News

Improving access to community mental health services in Australia

More vulnerable West Australians will receive low or no cost mental health treatment as a result of St John of God Social Outreach’s community mental health service expanding services to meet the mental health needs of people in south metropolitan and regional WA.

1 Jul 2019

 Community mental health expansion story

1 July 2019 

Over the last year Social Outreach has opened two new locations in Cockburn and Pinjarra in addition to existing community mental health services in Fremantle and Mandurah.

The service provides individually tailored counselling and group therapy for people experiencing mental health issues. The diverse therapy options are provided by a team of experienced psychologists, mental health social workers and mental health occupational therapists.

Director of St John of God Social Outreach’s community mental health services, Anna-Marie Thompson said the expansion is needed given the unprecedented growth and need in the Peel region for mental health services.

“Over the past two years we’ve helped more than 1,600 people and by taking our services into Pinjarra and Cockburn we’ll be able to support more families and communities in need closer to home.”

“We are also looking to broaden our footprint in WA’s South by opening a service in Waroona later this year.”

In addition to the new service locations St John of God Social Outreach’s community mental health services has also expanded its workforce by adding four new staff members to support growing demand.