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Mental health & well being

Rural WA – eheadspace Online Counselling Service for young people

The Australian Government, in partnership with the Western Australian Government, is conducting a 12-month pilot of drought reform measures in part of Western Australia.

The eheadspace Online Counselling for Rural Young Australians initiative under the Farm Social Support Program is aimed at young people in the WA pilot area.
The pilot will test a package of new measures developed in response to the national review of drought policy. The measures are designed to better support farmers, their families and rural communities in preparing for future challenges, rather than waiting until they are in crisis to offer assistance.

The anonymous, free and confidential eheadspace service will be in place from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 at www.eheadspace.org.au

For further information on the drought pilot, visit www.daff.gov.au/droughtpilot or call the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.

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Support for people with a mental illness and their carers – 21 April 2010

The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to support people with a mental illness and their carers, with a $32.3 million funding extension for local services across Australia.

Helping Indigenous people with a mental illness – 21 April 2010

Indigenous people living with mental illness, grief, and trauma will have greater access to much needed support through new and expanded Australian Government Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) services.

$80 million to help Australians with a mental illness – 8 April 2010

Australians with a severe mental illness will continue to have access to intensive, one-on-one support through an $80.3 million over three years funding extension to the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program.

New mental health services for refugees – 3 March 2010

The Australian Government is providing $5.4 million for new services and workers to give humanitarian entrants with a mental illness access to one-on-one support through the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program.

Help At Hand for Homeless Australians with a Mental Illness – 17 February 2010

The Australian Government today unveiled details of a $10 million boost to the Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program, to give homeless Australians with a severe mental illness greater access to one-on-one support.

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Framework for Perinatal Initiative agreed

On 13 November 2009, Australian health ministers agreed to the Framework for the National Perinatal Depression Initiative 2008-09 to 2012-13.

Through the Initiative, Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments are making a significant financial commitment to improving outcomes for women with perinatal depression. The Framework provides a policy basis for the Initiative. It outlines how all Governments will improve the prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression and provide better care, support and treatment for expectant and new mothers experiencing perinatal depression.

Key elements of the framework are:

• routine and universal screening for perinatal depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale;
• follow up support and care for women assessed as being at risk of or experiencing perinatal depression;
• workforce training and development for health professionals; and
• community awareness.

Following agreement of the National Framework, the Australian and State and Territory Governments are now working towards progressing the Initiative as set out in the Framework. More information about the National Perinatal Depression Initiative is available.

Fourth National Mental Health Plan

On 13 November 2009 the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference launched the Fourth National Mental Health Plan: an agenda for collaborative government action in mental health 2009-2014. The launch of the Fourth Plan represents a commitment to ongoing national mental health reform and identifies key actions that can make meaningful progress towards fulfilling the vision of the National Mental Health Policy 2008.

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The Mental Health of Australians 2 – a report on the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

The Mental Health of Australians 2 presents a comprehensive summary of the results of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing is the second major epidemiological survey of its kind undertaken in Australia, with the first conducted in 1997. The survey is a general household survey of the adult population aged 16-85 years and focuses on the more common or high prevalence mental disorders, namely affective disorders (including depression), anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.

The report provides information on the prevalence of mental disorders, their severity, associated suicidality, and comorbidity with other mental disorders and physical conditions, as well as what services people use for their mental health problems.

PDF printable version of The Mental Health of Australians 2 (PDF 853 KB)

Initial results of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing were released on 23 October 2008 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The report is available via the ABS website (http://www.abs.gov.au).

Hard copies of The Mental Health of Australians 2 can be ordered from National Mail and Marketing by calling (02) 6260 2770 or sending an email to nmm@nationalmailing.com.au.

AHMC release of the National Mental Health Policy 2008

The National Mental Health Policy 2008 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. The Policy 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.

Page currency, Latest update: 17 March, 2011