Page 614 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 11 February 2009
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This fourth plan will be developed through the health ministers with a whole-of-government approach. It includes areas such as housing, police and correctional services, education and employment that are important in influencing the impact and outcome of mental illness. The commonwealth released the discussion paper in February 2009 and ACT Health are conducting public local consultations on the fourth national mental health plan in February and March of this year.
The vision and future directions of the fourth national mental health plan and key areas of reform are early intervention strategies, promotion of mental health awareness and stigma reduction interventions. This fourth national mental health plan is indeed a plan of action. It is aimed at capturing priorities and being complemented by a range of activities occurring at the local level.
Then we have the Council of Australian Governments’ national action plan for mental health, years 2006 to 2011. This national action plan outlines roles and responsibilities for the Australian government and state and territory governments in identifying common areas of action at all levels of government. The national action plan aims to increase the pace of reform in mental health with new priorities and new funding for mental health from the commonwealth and other jurisdictions.
The main priorities under this action plan are increased activity in mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention; integrating and improving the care system; more stable accommodation and more support available for social integration, rehabilitation, vocational training and employment for these people with recurrent and enduring mental illness; and better coordinated care through program and service coordination and governments working together.
The Australian government is currently undertaking consultations with the community mental health sector in regard to commonwealth funding being transferred to the states and territories as part of an overall health reform of community mental health, aged care and disability. The ACT government provided $8 million in new funding in 2006-07 with an additional $12 million in 2007-08 towards the implementation of the national action plan. Most of this additional funding is recurrent for the life of the national action plan.
A white paper entitled The road home—a national approach to reducing homelessness, which Mr Hanson made mention of, was released in December 2008. It sets out ambitious targets to halve homelessness by 2020 and to offer supported accommodation to all rough-sleepers who need it. To make sure the government remains on track to meet these important targets, this white paper also sets out interim targets for 2013.
Another important national approach is the national mental health and employment strategy update entitled “Setting the Direction.” It was developed after extensive consultation processes. This update sets out the direction for a new national mental health and disability employment strategy to be released in 2009. It outlines strategies to reduce barriers and assist people with disabilities and mental illness to re-enter the workforce.
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