The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist is pleased to announce the release of the Chief Psychiatrist’s Standard for the Authorisation of Hospitals under the Mental Health Act 2014 (the Standard). This is supported by a new Advisory outlining the authorisation pathway and a Master Checklist to guide planning and streamline final authorisation submissions. The… Continue reading New Standard for Authorisation of Hospitals now available

The Chief Psychiatrist is proud to support the Australian Institute of Management WA’s Beediyar program to strengthen Aboriginal leadership in Western Australia’s organisations and institutions. The Beediyar program is a year-long leadership development intensive bringing together a collective of Aboriginal professionals across government, not-for-profits and the private sector for an intensive curriculum combining cultural knowledge,… Continue reading Chief Pyschiatrist sponsors Aboriginal leaders through the Beediyar program

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

Last month, the State Government announced the final outcome of the Independent Review of WA Health System Governance. The Chief Psychiatrist sat on the Minister’s Working Party to advise on…

The Chief Psychiatrist acknowledges NAIDOC Week 2024 as a time to recognise and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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.

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