A new mental health unit has been inaugurated at Joondalup Health Campus in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia.

The unit is intended to provide enhanced mental health services for various age groups, treating both youth and older adult patients for the first time.

It is part of a A$269.4m ($173.25m) expansion project co-funded by the state and federal governments.

Western Australia Minister for Health and Mental Health Amber-Jade Sanderson said: "The impressive new Mental Health Unit at Joondalup Health Campus significantly increases mental health beds in our northern suburbs while ensuring patients get access to best practice care.

"It features a dedicated recovery hub where patients will be able to connect with community groups and peer support.

"An education room is also available to support youth patients to stay engaged with their schooling, to minimise interruption to their daily life."

The new unit features 102 individual patient bedrooms, with separate wards for younger adults, youths aged 16-24 years, and adults aged older than 65 years.

It also features a psychiatric intensive care unit for acutely unwell patients, while also comprising interior courtyards, shared dining areas, lounges and gyms.

The unit's capacity is more than twice that of the existing facility.

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said: "This state-of-the-art mental health facility is just one of many new projects we have funded as part of the government's record investment in health and mental health services.

"It has more than double the capacity of the existing facilities in Joondalup and, importantly, it will mean that for the first time youth and adult mental patients requiring inpatient mental health care in Perth's northern suburbs can be treated close to home.

"The modern, thoughtfully designed facility will meet the requirements for the safe and secure treatment of people requiring mental health care and deliver patient areas that enhance care and well-being."