Media Releases and Announcements
Progress updates
National surveys of mental health and wellbeing
Media Releases and Announcements
Mental Health Services in Australia: the interim report from the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
$50 million to strengthen mental health
'Which Way Home? A New Approach to Homelessness' - June 2008
The Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, has identified mental illness as a significant factor contributing to the challenge of homelessness. Evidence suggests that homelessness is a common consequence of untreated severe mental illness and that unstable housing arrangements also contribute to deterioration of mental wellbeing. The Prime Minister released the Green Paper on Homelessness, 'Which Way Home? A New Approach to Homelessness', on 22 May 2008. Public responses to the Green paper closed 27 June 2008. Responses will be used to inform the development of a White Paper, which will set out the Australian Government's plan of action for the next 10 years.
Review of the National Standards for Mental Health Services
At Ease - a new mental health resource for veterans (8 May 2008)
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has launched a website dedicated to maximising mental health. Targeting veterans, their partners, carers, sons and daughters, and current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, www.at-ease.dva.gov.au enables the user to find:
- Information on common mental health conditions, as well as information that takes into account the uniqueness of the veteran experience;
- Services that are available to help cope with a mental illness;
- DVA mental health news and event information; and
- Links to other mental health resources.
Visit www.at-ease.dva.gov.au to find out more.
See the 8 May 2008 media release from the Hon Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs,
National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
The Australian Government is developing a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy in close consultation with consumers, peak bodies, employers, state and territory governments and experts. As part of this process, a Discussion Paper has been developed to facilitate submissions from a wide range of people with a disability and/or a mental illness who have experienced the challenges of working, seeking work, remaining in employment, or career advancement and promotion. Submissions closed 30 June 2008.
Improving Mental Health Services
The National Mental Health Report 2007
Medicare subsidised primary mental health services statistics
Figures released on Medicare subsidised primary care mental health services are available here: Top of page
Progress Updates
COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health - Progress Report 2006-07
This is the first in the series of annual reports (PDF 448 KB) for monitoring implementation of the COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health (2006 - 2011). Prepared under the auspice of Australia's Health Ministers, it describes the progress made in 2006-07, the commencement year of the Action Plan.
Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Progress Report - DEST August 2007 (PDF 17 KB)
Programs reported on by this progress report:- Additional education places, scholarships and clinical training in mental health
- Helping young people stay in education
- Progress Report - DEWR August 2007 (PDF 15 KB)
Programs reported on by this progress report:- Helping people with a mental illness enter and remain in employment
Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
- Update - FaHCSIA July 2008 (PDF 17 KB)
Programs reported on by this update:- Community based programs to help families coping with mental illness
- More respite care places to help families and carers
- New personal helpers and mentors
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
- Progress Report - DoHA July 2008 (PDF 73 KB)
Programs reported on by this progress report:- Alerting the community to links between illicit drugs and mental illness
- Better access to psychiatrists, psychologists, and GPs through the MBS
- Expanding suicide prevention programs
- Funding for telephone counselling, self-help and web based support programs
- Improved services for people with drug and alcohol problems and mental illness
- Improving the capacity of health workers in Indigenous communities
- Increased funding to the Mental Health Council of Australia
- Mental health in tertiary curricula
- Mental health services in rural and remote areas
- New early intervention services for parents, children and young people
- New funding for mental health nurses
Page currency, Latest update: 01 August, 2008
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