Karratha Mayor calls out State Government for delay in building mental health facility

Karratha mayor Daniel Scott is calling on the State Government to deliver on its promise to build a Step Up Step Down mental health facility in the city. In 2019, the city transferred the preferred site for the facility on Gregory Way to the Mental Health Commission, expecting construction to start shortly afterwards. Five years on, Karratha is in the desperate situation of not having enough mental health treatment options to cater for its ever-expanding population. This was made tragically clear by the death of Machlan Felix, whose mother Kristie Grabenhofer is petitioning for greater mental health resources in the region. Felix took his own life at age 21 on February 1. In October, Mr Felix overdosed on medication and presented to the hospital emergency department, where he admitted he was at risk of self-harm. Ms Grabenhofer told Seven West Media he was kept overnight and discharged the following day. Mr Felix returned to hospital three days later as advised, but was sent home again. Mr Scott believes the development of the facility is vital for the health of Mr Felix’s generation. “Mental health is going to be the largest issue that this generation faces, and Karratha is not unique in that space,” he said. “Each and every one of us has probably had a family member or a friend who has had anxiety and mental issues and not been treated, and got into a dark place and ended up taking their own life. I know three people in my life who have done it. “We are all touched by it, and it’s a major issue we need to overcome.” Premier Roger Cook echoed Mr Scott’s demands, saying last week he was “frustrated” with the achingly slow progress of delivering a community-based mental health facility in Karratha. Ms Grabenhofer also shared her immense disappointment in the mental health system. “He (Machlan Felix) was let down by the system we have here. You can’t see mental illness, and how it affects you,” she said. “I know he didn’t want to leave us. He just didn’t want to stay here feeling the way he did.” Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 RuralLink 1800 552 002 (after hours)