The extent and impact of mental health problems and disorders is now greater than was previously understood and is rising. Depression alone will constitute one of the biggest health problems worldwide by the year 2020. World Bank (1993) World Development Report 1993: Investing in Health. New York; Oxford University Press.

To reduce the burden of mental health problems and disorders and their associated human and economic costs, a spectrum of interventions continues to be considered and applied. This spectrum of preventative, clinical and maintenance interventions are at the core of West Australian mental health services.

The Chief Psychiatrist's role in this spectrum is a direct responsibility for the consumers of mental health services. Specifically achieved by defining a framework through which mental health services are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services to consumers. The Chief Psychiatrist safeguards high standards of care and supports continuous improvement in service delivery.

The work of the Chief Psychiatrist is that of independently monitoring clinical care and mental health outcomes for consumers. As such the activity of the Chief Psychiatrist is strongly linked to the Department of Health framework for managing health services and has considerable responsibility to provide both the Department and consumers a rigorous and independent assessment of services.

The Chief Psychiatrist of Western Australia has responsibilities, powers, and duties prescribed by the Mental Health Act 1996 , and central to those duties is the responsibility for the medical care and welfare of all involuntary patients, and the monitoring of standards of psychiatric care throughout the State (Section 9).

The Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Rowan Davidson was appointed in June 2002 and the separate and independent Office was established on July 1, 2002.

The Chief Psychiatrist, within the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1996 and associated Regulations, is directly accountable to the Director General of Health and the Minister for Health and ultimately to the community and particularly those people with a mental illness, their carers and family.