Ministerial visit to Ngatti House

The Minister for Child Protection and Community Services, Simone McGurk MLA, recently visited Ngatti House along with NMHS Youth Mental Health staff from Youth Reach South (external site) (YRS).

Ngatti House (external site) is WA’s only licensed psychiatric hostel for young people at risk. It provides community-based homeless youth services to young people between 17 and 22 years of age, who show signs and symptoms of mental illness while homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service offers safe accommodation for these young people as they work on their mental health recovery, with support from Life Without Barriers (external site) (LWB) who run and staff the program.

YRS provides community mental health services to young people living in the southern corridor and works with LWB to provide in-reach care for those at Ngatti House.

Sam Garlett, YRS Aboriginal Health Officer, did the Acknowledgement of Country during the Minister’s tour of the facility and Polly McCann, YRS Team Leader, gave a presentation on the partnership model with LWB.

There was huge praise for the work being done at Ngatti House with the Minister commenting that:

“What sets this place apart is that it puts residents in the driving seat on their journey to wellness – they’re encouraged to take control of all aspects of their care, ensuring they feel valued and heard.”

“So wonderful to see all the amazing work you guys are doing there.”