A record amount of state funding for mental health will boost treatment and awareness programs, and alcohol and drug services, the West Australian premier says.
Opening the WA Council of Social Services state conference on Wednesday, Premier Colin Barnett said $14.7 million would be added to the Mental Health Commission's budget next financial year, bringing it to a record $865.8 million.
The funding will help pay for dedicated youth and adolescent mental health beds at Perth Children's Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Mental Health and Child Protection Minister Andrea Mitchell said $19.2 million had been committed over three years for the North West Drug and Alcohol Support Program, funded through Royalties for Regions.
The Disability Services Commission budget in 2016-17 will be $944.9 million, with about one-quarter of it coming from the federal government and other sources.
The Department for Child Protection and Family Support will get $640.2 million.
WA Council of Social Services chief executive Irina Cattalini said she welcomed the Mental Health Commission's extra funding but was yet to see the details.
Ms Cattalini also said she hoped next week's state budget would contain enough money for family support services to help with complex problems such as substance abuse, because early intervention could avoid having to take children into protection.
