Publications

National Mental Health Policy 2008

The National Mental Health Policy 2008 represents a renewed commitment to the continual improvement of Australia's mental health system.

Australian Health Ministers announced the launch of the National Mental Health Policy 2008, endorsed by AHMC in December last year, at their meeting of 5 March 2009.

The policy embeds a whole of government approach to mental health, first agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments in July 2006, within the National Mental Health Strategy. The policy represents a renewed commitment by all health ministers and ministers with responsibility for mental health to the continual improvement of Australia's mental health system. It works towards ensuring that Australia has a mental health system that detects and intervenes early in illness, promotes recovery, and ensures that all Australians with a mental illness have access to effective and appropriate treatment and community supports to enable them to participate in the community fully.

It also recognises that certain groups in the community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, homeless and disadvantaged people, those exposed to traumatic events, and those with serious or chronic health problems are at heightened risk of mental health problems and mental illness.

Online version of National Mental Health Policy 2008

PDF printable version of National Mental Health Policy 2008 (PDF 2603 KB)

The same publication in smaller sections:

Cover pages (PDF 409 KB)
Foreword (PDF 41 KB)
Contents (PDF 270 KB)

1. Introduction - cover page (PDF 628 KB large file)
1. Introduction - text (PDF 634 KB large file)

2. Policy directions - cover page (PDF 610 KB large file)
2. Policy directions - text (PDF 615 KB large file)

3. Glossary - cover (PDF 645 KB large file)
3. Glossary - text (PDF 292 KB)

If you are having difficulty downloading the PDF document, please email mentalhealth@health.gov.au and we will arrange for a copy to be sent to you.