Mental Health Services was a government department responsible for the prevention and treatment of mental illness in Western Australia for the period 1 January 1954 until 1 July 1984. It took over this role from the Mental Hospitals Department. Up until the 1960s it was common to place children with intellectual and other disabilities in mental health institutions. While this practice decreased through the 1960’s it did not cease entirely until 1977, when the last children were moved from Swanbourne Hospital (formerly Claremont) to Sussex Hostel. Through the office of the Inspector General of Mental Hospitals (and from 1984 the Director of Mental Health Services), the Department ran several hospitals and institutions for those with mental disabilities. In 1984 this responsibility was transferred to the Health Department.