The Mental Health Commission (Commission) is leading the development of a new Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy 2025-2030 (MHAOD Strategy) and Outcomes Measurement Framework.

The State Government committed to the development of a new system-wide strategy and to adopt a person-centered, outcomes-focused approach to system evaluation as part of a broader package of reforms to improve leadership, collaboration and coordination of the mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems.

The new MHAOD Strategy will aim to identify whole-of-system priorities, including shifting toward more community-based services that provide earlier intervention and prevention, reducing reliance on acute, hospital-based services. Importantly, the MHAOD Strategy will adopt a person-centred focus that prioritises the smooth transition within and across systems and services, so people can access the services they need, when they need it.

Covering the entire spectrum of care, from keeping people well in the community, reducing harm and ensuring equitable access to services and support close to home, the MHAOD Strategy will seek to identify priority areas for reform, including for specific population groups and across our vast state.

The MHAOD Strategy will recognise experiences of mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues are connected to the broader environment in which people live, work and play, and will consider the social, environmental, and commercial factors that impact the health and wellbeing of people and communities.

The MHAOD Strategy will be informed by previous consultations and engagements, service mapping, best practice evidence and stakeholder and community consultation. This includes engagement with government and non-government partners, peak bodies, people with lived experience, families and carers, specialist system experts and key groups such as the Lived Experience Advisory Group, Clinical Advisory Group and Joint Leadership Group.

Consultation

Consultation to inform the Strategy took place between October and December 2024 and is now closed.

Throughout the process we heard from people across the State via face to face and virtual workshops, online surveys, written and verbal submissions and targeted engagements. We were fortunate to visit all regions and hear directly from people with lived experience, their families and carers, community members and local service providers about how the Strategy can be shaped to meet their needs and support better outcomes for their communities. We have also heard from relevant governance bodies, key stakeholders, and government agencies.

We also partnered with Living Proud, the Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer and Community Coalition, Carers WA, Multicultural Services Centre of WA, and People With disabilities WA who have undertaken targeted consultation with their communities in a variety of formats.

Thank you to everyone who participated for sharing your insights, experiences and expertise. The information gained through the consultation process has been invaluable and will help to ensure the new Strategy meets the needs of individuals, families, communities across the state.

Next Steps

Drafting of the MHAOD Strategy will take place over the coming months.

Updates on the MHAOD Strategy development will be provided via the Mental Health Commission’s social media pages, and this website.

We look forward to providing you with more information on the MHAOD Strategy and its development progress in 2025!