A new community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Armadale was officially opened last week by Mental Health Minister Stephen Dawson.
The new purpose-built facility will support the local community as children and young people across Armadale will have access to mental health services.
The location is central with the ability to cater for people from 40 suburbs across Armadale, and public transport is easily accessible from the facility.
Given the large diverse background of the area, the space has been designed to ensure it is culturally appropriate.
All rooms have Noongar names and local artist Sally-Anne Greengrass was commissioned to paint murals featuring the Noongar seasons.
The design includes a large family therapy room for reflective family therapy, along with a central meeting space to accommodate group therapy and training and collaboration within the team.
In addition, all therapy rooms are equipped with large screens and IT equipment designed to support telehealth and remote meetings and to assist with continuity of care as patients transition to the service.
Mr Dawson said the government is committed to providing the best possible care to children and young people across Western Australia.
“Demand for mental health services for young Western Australians is increasing and therefore it is vital that we provide the right kind of facilities close to home so people can access support where they live,” he said.
“This new facility will support clinicians to continue to provide high-quality care in a culturally appropriate environment.”
Armadale is one of 10 clinics across the Perth metropolitan area providing assessment, case coordination and multidisciplinary treatment in the community for children and young people experiencing mental health issues.
A multidisciplinary team of 19 staff work from the Armadale clinic and are currently providing services to 70 clients.
