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City needs rehab beds: report

Geraldton needs more alcohol and drug rehabilitation services, according to a report.

And a 10-year blueprint compiled by 1400 submissions from mental health organisations has called for more beds for mental health patients.

The report said the region needed “many more facilities” by 2025.

WA Mental Health Commissioner Tim Marney said implementing the report’s recommendations was a matter of the State Government prioritising it “among the various issues it will be confronted with”.

He said the priority was to expand existing alcohol and drug rehabilitation services in Geraldton.

“We’ll do that in consultation with the local service providers and get an understanding from the ground as to the best way to do that, ” he said.

“(We need to) increase the existing model of service in residential rehab, which tends to be a fairly short-stay detox process, for people with alcohol and other drug issues.

“The plan says we need that by 2025.”

Mr Marney said Meekatharra needed a drug and alcohol service hub within the next three years.

He said the drug and alcohol issue was the most immediate in the region.

“It’s important to meet that demand, ” he said.

“In addition, we need a range of community support services and community-based outpatient-style treatment services throughout the Mid West.”

The Commissioner said there were not enough alcohol and drug services across the state.

He said residents in the Mid West were more prone to mental health issues due to the region’s remoteness.

“Because it’s non-metropolitan, there are some elements that lead to a higher incidence, ” he said.

“One of the key issues is social isolation.

“If you’ve got people scattered across vast distances, in reasonably remote locations, then isolation can exacerbate mental health issues.”

Mr Marney said there was a higher incidence of mental health issues among indigenous Australians, where the rates of suicide were significantly higher than the rest of the population.

Mr Marney said the mental health beds in Geraldton needed to be either at or near hospital to address physical health issues with people suffering from mental illnesses.

“Often they have recurring physical health issues, ” he said.

“Being located near the hospital, or as a part of the hospital, is quite important.”