National Mental Health Policy

Australian Health Ministers met at the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference held in Melbourne on 5 March 2009.

There they launched Australia’s new National Mental Health Policy 2008, which represents a renewed commitment by all governments 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.

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 provides a strategic framework to support improved mental health outcomes for people at risk of or experiencing mental health problems or mental illness. It also recognises that certain groups in the community, including people from CALD backgrounds, 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.

Work has commenced on the development of a fourth National Mental Health Plan in the context of a whole of government approach.

Ministers agreed that the revised National Mental Health Policy will provide the basis for the development of the Fourth Plan.

The Australian Government held national consultations in February 2009, and State and Territory Governments are conducting consultations in February and March 2009.