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Mental health

Information about action to build a stronger, more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective mental health system.

National mental health reform

Several other Australian Government departments are involved in mental health reform activities:

• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
• Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)

Ten year roadmap for national mental health reform

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the Roadmap for national mental health reform 2012-2022 at its meeting on 7 December 2012. COAG also welcomed the inaugural National report card on mental health and suicide prevention from the National Mental Health Commission.

The roadmap outlines the reform directions governments will take over the next 10 years and re-commits the Australian Government and states and territories to working together towards real improvements in the lives of people with mental illness, their families, carers and communities. To ensure national mental health reform is maintained as a priority of all governments, COAG will establish new governance and accountability arrangements that will directly engage stakeholders and ensure that governments are held to account.

2011-12 budget package

In the May federal budget, a $1.5 billion mental health package to fund National Mental Health Reform was announced. The mental health reform fact sheets outline the range of initiatives contained in the National Mental Health Reform package.

Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package

Taking Action to Tackle Suicide, a 2010 election commitment, provides funding to raise awareness of suicide risk, to help those at risk of taking their own lives, and to assist those bereaved by suicide.

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

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 - April 2012
• 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 (PDF 1.62 MB large file) (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

Mental health and suicide prevention policy

Mental health links