Minister Consults on Mental Health Reform

View by date:

• October
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

• 2009
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

PDF printable version of Minister Consults on Mental Health Reform (PDF 17 KB)

21 October 2009

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, today hosted a consultation at Parliament House in Canberra to discuss the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission final report with key mental health organisations and professionals.

Mental health is a priority of the Rudd Government. The social and economic burden of mental illness is unacceptably high. More needs to be done to improve the mental health system for people living with a mental illness, their families and carers.

More than 3.5 million Australians live with the impact of a mental illness and more than half will experience a mental illness at some point during their lifetime.

The Rudd Government is taking concrete steps to improve Australia's health and hospital system after twelve years of neglect by the previous Liberal Government.

Initiatives include the $12.2 million extension of the KidsMatter Primary Schools program to a further 300 schools following its pilot project in 101 schools, and the launch of an associated $6.5 million project for the early childhood sector.

The Government has provided $45 million for the continuation of headspace services nationally. This includes $12.5 million for allied health services as part of the Youth Mental Health Initiative – giving young people better access to health professionals skilled in fields like alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, and youth support services.

These investments highlight the Government's strategy of targeting key pressure points in our health system, such as mental health. These investments will continue to flow while further consultations are conducted on long term reform options.

The Commission made 12 specific recommendations to better support people living with a mental illness.

At today’s consultation, Minister Roxon outlined the Commission’s recommendations and discussed with the professionals their priorities to improve the nation’s mental health services

It was the 61st consultation across the country to road-test the Commission’s proposed reforms.

All Australians are able to send in their comments and contribute to the national debate on our health system via the yourHealth.gov.au website.

For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220.