Media Releases

Australian of the Year, Pat McGorry, is right in saying that mental health reform is a defining policy area for the Gillard Government. Professor McGorry stated what most of the mental health sector believe: “The time for talk is definitely over - the time for talk was over some time ago, and what we need to see is not more of the same.”

10 October is World Mental Health Day. This year, unlike previous years, has seen the emergence of a new consensus from the Federal Parliament in its support for mental health reform across Australia. For the very first time, Australia now has a Commonwealth Minister for Mental Health , a Shadow Minister for Mental Health and a Greens spokesperson. “World Mental Health Day is a time to focus on what we have achieved and hope to achieve in mental health. This year, 2010, may well go down as a key turning point in the reform process”, said David Crosbie, CEO of the Mental Health Council.

The Mental Health Council of Australia ( MHCA ) welcomes the announcement of a $1.5 billion commitment to mental health by the federal Liberal Party. The Liberal opposition has committed to a massive increase in mental health funding, including funding an additional 60 headspace youth mental health centres, 20 new Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centres and 800 acute and sub-acute early intervention beds.

Over a year ago the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission identified the need for a national anti-stigma campaign focusing on mental health. It was one of twelve recommendations made in relation to mental health, a recommendation supported by the Federal government. Today, a state government has taken a real step towards implementing this recommendation, at least in Queensland. Mr David Crosbie, CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia said; “the Queensland government is to be commended for taking this important step to reduce the level of discrimination experienced by people with a mental illness and their carers.”