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Mental health

The Australian Government is committed to building a stronger, more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective mental health system. The government will deliver comprehensive reforms to make a real difference to Australians living with mental illness, their families and carers.

National Mental Health Reform - 2011-12 budget package

In the May federal budget, the Australian Government announced a $1.5 billion mental health package to fund National Mental Health Reform. This funding will deliver genuine, practical and sustainable mental health reform to ensure that the millions of Australians living with mental illness get the care they need, when they need it. When combined with the 2010 budget and election commitments, the government will be providing $2.2 billion over five years for mental health services.

Mental health reform fact sheets

The mental health reform fact sheets outline the range of new initiatives contained in the National Mental Health Reform Package, as announced in the 2011-12 Federal Budget.

Mental health programs

Australia has long been a leader in treating and caring for people with mental illness but more needs to be done. Current programs and activity in this area provide a solid foundation for further reform.

Mental health publications

The Department of Health and Ageing has produced a range of publications that outline programs and activity in the mental health area.

Other relevant publications of interest

The Asia Australia Mental Health (AAMH) Asia Pacific Community Mental Health Development Project has recently released a report of stage 2 of its project which seeks to build partnerships between community mental health services in the Asia Pacific region:

• Summary report 2011: Asia-Pacific Community Mental Health Development Project: Partnerships

Mental health and suicide data and information

Links to national mental health and suicide data publications, including those produced from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, the National mental health report series and Causes of death, Australia data.

Mental health matters

Updates on reform from the Minister for Mental Health:

• Mental health matters - October 2011
• Mental health matters - March 2011

Consumer and carer participation

The important role of the mental health consumer and carer sector in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, programs and services is recognised and supported by all governments under the National Mental Health Strategy.

Unravelling psychosocial disability (November 2011) is a position statement by National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) on psychosocial disability associated with mental health conditions.

Mental health sector consultation

As part of its broad stakeholder engagement strategy to inform consideration of future mental health options, the Australian Government is using a range of mechanisms to consult with the sector.

The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) has published summary reports on outcomes from the budget implementation workshops held in August and September 2011.

The Australian General Practice Network has also published a report on a workshop held in September 2011 to explore the Partners in Recovery: Coordinated Support and Flexible Funding for People with Severe, Persistent Mental Illness and Complex Care Needs initiative. The aim of this workshop was for the Government to hear the views of stakeholders, including mental health consumers, carers and non government organisations, to inform the development and implementation of the initiative.

Other information

The programs being implemented by the Department of Health and Ageing, with the aim of improving the mental health of Australians, are directed by the:

• National mental health strategy
• Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) national action plan on mental health (2006-2011)
• National mental health policy 2008
• Fourth national mental health plan
• National suicide prevention strategy

Mental health links