Mental health program in the balance

The future of mental health provision through the One Life program remains in the balance, awaiting the completion of a university study to determine its viability.

One Life had been running a local initiative in the southern Wheatbelt from Narrogin until the $13 million State Government funding ended in December last year.

Mental Health commissioner Timothy Marney said the work with One Life Agency Pledge Partners would continue until June and new arrangements would be confirmed after that time.

The regional aspect of the mental health service is being evaluated at Edith Cowan University and Mr Marney said the review was due for completion by the middle of this year.

Mr Marney said combating regional suicide and mental health issues continued to be a State Government priority.

“While the Government has a key role to play in this area, preventing suicide and improving mental health is everybody’s business,” he said.

Last week, One Life brought former Fremantle Docker Heath Black and former coach Chris Connolly to towns in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern as part of efforts to address suicide in regional towns.

Their visits to Narrogin, Ongerup, Kukerin and Lake Grace were partly funded by CBH Group with support from the WA Country Football League.

Black, whose playing career shielded his battles with bipolar disorder and alcohol dependence, said since he had found a better place mentally he felt it was important to talk about the reality of mental health issues surrounding sporting teams.

“Fundamentally, sporting clubs in regional towns have more responsibility than they realise,” he said.

“It’s about being a positive influence, teaching people to not get caught up in things and breaking the cycle of negative behaviour.”

“Sporting clubs need to make that clear, and OK for their players.”

Black said it was important to keep a dialogue about suicide to ensure people in regional towns continue to address it.

Former ABC sports commentator Glen Mitchell has also visited communities in the region, including Albany, as part of the One Life program to share his experience with depression and help raise awareness about mental health.