Ruah Legal Services and Mental Health Law Centre

05/10/2026

This week is Mental Health Week, which creates an opportunity for all of us to have meaningful conversations about mental health while breaking down the stigma associated with mental health challenges.

📊The 2020 – 2022 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing estimated that 22%of the Australian population had experienced a mental illness in the previous 12 months, while 43% of people had experienced a mental illness during their life.

These statistics shine a light on the prevalence of mental health challenges, highlighting that we must continue to respond in innovative and open ways to empower individuals and create more robust, caring communities.

🌱The theme for this year’s Mental Health Week is ‘taking control in the face of change’ encouraging us to explore resilience, optimism and advocating for the needs of those with mental health challenges.

⚖️At Ruah Legal Services and Mental Health Law Centre we are emboldened to continue to advocate for our clients individually, ensuring that they have their voices heard.

🏛️We are emboldened to challenge systems and laws to create more empowered and mentally healthy communities, by ensuring the views of those with mental health challenges are heard by policy makers.

This Mental Health Week, let’s continue to listen, advocate and work together to ensure everyone can have their voice heard and take control in the face of change.

15/09/2026

We were so pleased to celebrate RLS SALSWA lawyer, Melanie Yarnall, who was nominated as Emerging Lawyer of the Year, and former RLS lawyer, Elle de Koning, who was nominated as Lawyer of the Year, at the 2026 Law Society of Western Australia Annual Awards! 🎉

Both Elle and Melanie have made an outstanding contribution to the legal profession and to improving access to justice for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. We are proud to see their dedication and impact recognised.

It was brilliant to see strong representation from the legal assistance sector, with Corina Martin from Aboriginal Family Legal Services, Jasmine Pavan from Women's Legal Service WA and Luella Zaltsman from Street Law Centre WA Inc all recognised as winners.

Congratulations to all the finalists and award recipients! It was wonderful to celebrate the incredible work being done across Western Australia’s legal profession ⚖️

24/08/2026

Last week we were privileged to host a CPD afternoon with Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Limited.

The afternoon brought together staff for two thought-provoking sessions. We were pleased to welcome Magistrate Martin, Magistrate Farmer and Registrar Hughes who presented a session on therapeutic practice in the Perth Children’s Court, exploring the vital role of court alternatives that are available.

Magistrate Anderson then presented on acting for Aboriginal clients in the Family Court of Western Australia, providing valuable insights into culturally responsive legal practice and the considerations practitioners should keep in mind when working with Aboriginal clients.

The afternoon provided an excellent opportunity for learning, connecting, reflection and professional development.

We extend our sincere thanks to Registrar Hughes and Magistrate Martin, Farmer and Anderson for sharing their expertise, and to our colleagues at Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Limited for joining with us to host this valuable afternoon.

20/08/2026

The Ruah Legal Services and Mental Health Law Centre team were proud to attend the 2026 WA Mental Health Conference this week, hosted by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH).

With the theme “Towards wellbeing: Taking control in the face of change”, the conference brought together people with lived experience, practitioners, advocates, researchers and organisations from across the country to share knowledge, perspectives and ideas for creating meaningful change across the mental health system.

Our Principal Lawyer, Luke Cassidy, participated in the Advocacy Panel alongside esteemed colleagues Margaret Doherty from Mental Health Matters 2, Taryn Harvey from WAAMH, Mad Magladry from Consumers of Mental Health WA and Dr Sarah Po***ck from the Mental Health Advocacy Service, exploring the role of advocacy in driving systemic change.

Senior Supervising Lawyer Jasmin De Faria and Senior Lawyer Heidi Rees also presented “Guardianship and Administration: A system of control in review”, sharing key recommendations made for reform to our existing laws, and the insights from their work in this area.

As a specialist community legal service, our work sits at the intersection of mental health and the law. We see every day the importance of ensuring people understand their rights, have access to appropriate support and are treated with dignity throughout their interactions with legal and mental health systems.

We value opportunities like this to listen, learn and strengthen the relationships that underpin a more connected, collaborative and responsive system.

Thank you to WAAMH for bringing the sector together for another valuable conference.

17/08/2026

Last week Ruah Legal Services Principal Lawyer Luke Cassidy was proud to attend the Parliamentary Inquiry into Western Australia’s guardianship and administration system.

Led by the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee, the Inquiry is examining how the Public Trustee and the Office of the Public Advocate support vulnerable people across the state. At Ruah Legal Services, we are committed to ensuring the voices and experiences of the people we support help inform systems that protect rights, promote dignity, and improve outcomes for those most in need.

We welcome the opportunity to contribute to these important discussions and look forward to seeing meaningful reform that strengthens safeguards and support for vulnerable Western Australians.

Click the link to watch the recording: www.parliament.wa.gov.au/watch/video/6e39c2c1cf1945c28202993cdb4c7008

10/07/2026

NAIDOC week offers the opportunity for all Australians to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories and cultures and to participate in celebration of one of the oldest, continuing living cultures on earth.

The theme “Fifty Years of Deadly” marks a milestone. We recognise and pay tribute to the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the organisers, activists and communities that celebrated identity and platformed truth telling year after year.

This week we celebrate and reflect on our commitment to Reconciliation and allyship each day. We are proud to celebrate NAIDOC week 2026 and take time to honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Today marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations histories and cultures and to participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on Earth.

For five decades, NAIDOC Week has celebrated the voices of our communities — steady, unapologetic and proud. Each year, its themes have called for truth, celebrated culture, honoured resistance and reminded the nation of who we are. “Fifty Years of Deadly” marks a milestone. It’s a tribute to the people who built this movement: the Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression and the communities who keep showing up, year after year.

At Ruah, we’re proud to take part with a week of activities that reflect, respect and celebrate this legacy.

Explore what's happening across the state and access resources here: naidoc.org.au

Let’s continue to walk together - for where we've come from, and where we’re going, side by side with the next generation.

22/06/2026

We honour the rich histories, experiences and achievements of LGBTQIA+SB communities, and reflect on the importance of creating communities where everyone is respected, valued and free to be their authentic selves. We celebrate the resilience, strength, leadership and vibrancy of LGBTQIA+SB people and reaffirm our commitment to fostering spaces where everyone feels welcome, safe and connected.

At Ruah Legal Services, this commitment is particularly reflected in the work of the Sexual Assault Legal Service WA (SALSWA), which provides specialised legal and psychosocial assistance to victim-survivors of sexual violence who identify as male or as part of the LGBTQIA+SB community. Through SALSWA, we are committed to ensuring people can access inclusive, trauma-informed legal support that recognises and responds to their unique experiences.

This Pride Month, we continue to elevate LGBTQIA+SB voices, and work towards a future where everyone can live with dignity, equality and belonging.

To learn more about SALSWA and the support available, visit our website: https://ruahlegal.org.au/services/sexual-assault-legal-service/

04/06/2026

As part of Reconciliation Week, members of our team attended the Revealed Exhibition, an inspiring showcase of the work of over 100 new and emerging Aboriginal Artists from across Western Australia.

The exhibition explores language, community, identity and Country, providing a platform for artists to share stories and celebrate culture.

Delivered under the custodianship of the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia, Revealed is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led, with proceeds from artwork sales directly supporting artists and their communities.

We were moved by the expansive artworks and grateful for the opportunity to deepen our understanding of culture, place, and the diverse stories represented through the exhibition during this important week.

https://revealed.org.au/exhibition/

29/05/2026

28/05/2026