Many peers have experience either supporting loved ones through substance use challenges or navigating their own journey with alcohol, other drugs, or mental health. Palmerston employs peers at many of our sites.
Peer Support
Peers use their experience to support others who are in a similar situation.
Peer Groups
Our peer led groups offer a safe space to connect, share insights, and learn from one another. They are free and everyone is welcome.
GroupsFamily Support
Peer Support in Mental Health Services
Palmerston supports people with mental health and alcohol and other drug concerns through a variety of partnerships and local agreements.
In partnership, we provide integrated, person-centred care, where we combine our strengths to offer innovative, evidence-based, and culturally safe support. Palmerston enable this through the provision of Peers into their services below.
Programs include:
Step Up Step Down (Kwelena - Rockingham)
Mind Australia’s Kwelena Step Up Step Down service provides short-term residential support for people experiencing mental distress. It helps individuals focus on recovery and plan for independent living in the community. Support is provided by community mental health workers and by a peer comorbidity worker employed by Palmerston, in partnership with the person’s clinical health team.
Step Up Step Down is for people who:
- Are preparing to leave a mental health inpatient stay, or
- Need short-term support to avoid hospital admission.
How to Register
Referrals can come from public or private mental health services, including hospitals, community mental health teams, non-government organisations, private practitioners, or GPs. Self-referrals are also accepted.
Transitional Care Unit - Bidi Wungen Kaat
(Bidi Wungen Kaat means ‘Journey to a Healthy Mind’)
Mind Australia and East Metro Health’s Bidi Wungen Kaat Centre in St James provides transitional support for adults (18–64 years) facing severe mental health challenges. It helps people build independence, reconnect with their community, and work towards their recovery goals, including daily living skills, employment, and education.
This 40-person residential service offers staged recovery support, bridging the gap between hospital care and independent living. Stays range from two weeks to around six months, depending on individual needs.
Palmerston AOD lived experience peer workers facilitate AOD and SMART groups within Bidi Wungen Kaat.
Who Can Access the Service?
• Adults (18–64 years) experiencing mental health challenges
• People transitioning from hospital to community living
• Individuals working towards independent living, work, or study
How to Apply
Access is by referral from a clinical health provider.
Active Recovery Teams (ART)
Palmerston employs Peers for two Active Recovery Team programs
- Armadale (together with East Metro Health and MIFWA)
- Peel (together with Mind Australia and South Metro Health)
The Active Recovery Team (ART) is a program in Perth, Western Australia that provides mental health and wellbeing support. ART provides short-term, tailored support for people who experience frequent mental health crises and need help staying well in the community.
Over 90 days, the team works alongside individuals to stabilise their mental health, reduce hospital visits, and build connections with ongoing support services. ART brings together clinical and community care, offering practical support, alcohol and other drug (AOD) recovery services, and peer support.
A dedicated team of mental health professionals and peer workers provide personalised, hands-on support and case management to help individuals regain stability, connect with services, and work towards long-term recovery.
Who Can Access the Service?
The program is for people aged 18–65 who have complex mental health needs, as well as drug and alcohol issues.
How to Apply?
Access is by referral from a clinical health provider.
How do I get started?
To make an appointment you can call any of our branches. You don’t need a referral and it’s free. Appointments are usually about an hour long. Evening or Saturday morning appointments are available at most branches.
If you need urgent help
We are not an emergency service. If you are hurt, or worried about someone’s safety, or you need immediate support please call 000 (Ambulance, Police, Fire Brigade) or present to your closest emergency department.
