By Wa Premier Roger

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Parent support provider, Ngala, is now taking bookings for its free residential parenting services which will allow struggling families to stay up to three nights at a centre to receive mental health support and sleep advice.

The service was announced by WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, who said the state government was investing $39.5 million into the Kensington centre.

“We’ve all been there, we all remember it, as a dad of two kids, growing up we all remember those difficult early months and years of a child’s life and the parenting that goes with it,” he said.

“We know babies are gorgeous … but jeez, with two hours sleep and the struggles that come with it, they can really test our mental health and well-being, and it’s important that young parents have got access to health care and the services they need so they can protect their mental health during these difficult months and years.”

Ngala, from mid-October, will be able to accommodate up to 14 families for overnight stays, and 20 families for day-stays each week, meaning up to 1,734 families can be supported on-site each year.