Welcome to the new Mental Health Commissioner

The latest report by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) highlights the major shortfalls in mental health care for people in custody. Research shows that people in custody suffer from significantly higher rates of mental illness than the general population. While incarceration serves a necessary function of protecting the community, people in… Continue reading Review shows need for improved custodial care

I’m pleased to announce that the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist (OCP) is partnering with the University of Western Australia (UWA) to investigate the health service pathways and outcomes for health consumers who present to an Emergency Department (ED) seeking urgent care for mental illness, suicidal and self-harm behaviours. This joint research initiative has secured… Continue reading $3 million to support research into suicide and self-harm in WA

I am pleased to announce the release of the Chief Psychiatrist’s Standards for the Administration of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Western Australia 2025. These standards update and replace the previous standards published in 2015. ECT remains an important evidence-based therapy option in contemporary psychiatric practice. ECT services are highly regulated in Western Australia, and can only… Continue reading Standards for Electroconvulsive Therapy 2025 Released

I am pleased to announce the release of the Chief Psychiatrist’s Guidelines for the use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Western Australia 2024.  These guidelines update and replace the previous edition published in 2006, and provide a framework for best practice in Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) provision in WA. ECT remains an important evidence-based therapy option in… Continue reading Release of the Chief Psychiatrist’s Guidelines for the use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Western Australia 2024

The Chief Psychiatrist’s Annual Report is an important point of feedback about standards of mental health treatment and care. It makes transparent the ongoing improvement and challenges of mental health services across this massive state. Given the numbers of Western Australians who use mental health services, the Chief Psychiatrist’s oversight of standards is essential the… Continue reading The Chief Psychiatrist’s Annual Report 2023-24 has been tabled in State Parliament

The Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 (the CLMI Act) for Western Australia came into effect on 1 September 2024. The Act interfaces with the Mental Health Act 2014. The CLMI Act is important law reform with greater human rights embedded. Changes to the CLMI legislation will impact the delivery of mental health services to… Continue reading Proclamation of the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023

The Chief Psychiatrist is responsible for overseeing the treatment and care in mental health services in Western Australia. The Chief Psychiatrist is required by law to develop standards and guidelines. Sexual safety in mental health services is an absolute priority for the people of Western Australia. The Chief Psychiatrist’s Guidelines for the Sexual Safety of… Continue reading New Standards for the Sexual Safety of Consumers of Mental Health Services

The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist acknowledges this year’s National Reconciliation Week, a period of reflection, action and commitment to strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider Australian community. Centred on the theme of Now More Than Ever, National Reconciliation Week calls on Australians to stand up in solidarity with… Continue reading National Reconciliation Week 2024 – Now More Than Ever