National Mental Health Reform 2011-12
Severe and debilitating mental illness
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- Foreword
- Highlights
The Challenges- Severe and debilitating mental illness
- Better targeted and more efficient primary mental health services
- Early intervention and prevention, and mental health services for children and young people
- Economic and social participation for people with mental illness
- Addressing service gaps in state and territory systems
- Quality, transparency and accountability in mental health
- A new approach – A ten year roadmap for mental health reform
Priorities and new Initiatives
Despite previous attempts at reform and investment by governments, too many people with severe and debilitating mental illness are still not getting the support they need, don’t know where to find it, and are falling through the cracks in the system. The families and people who care for them struggle with a system which often causes them frustration and even despair.
The great majority of people with severe mental disorders are connected to a mental health service in some form, but few receive the coordinated, multidisciplinary support they require to achieve lasting results. This group needs a mix of quality clinical services, non-clinical and social support, including stable, supported housing that is sensitive and appropriate to their individual needs.
Lack of integration and coordination between services is regularly cited as contributing to people falling through the cracks. State and territory governments (‘states’) play an integral role in providing acute care, housing and accommodation, education, justice and social supports. However, they vary in the range and type of services they offer. This results in people with the same illness and needs receiving
services based on local availability rather than what they may need.