Australia's National Mental Health Policy
Harvey A. Whiteford M.B., B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.C.P.1
1 Queensland Department of Health, G. P. O. Box 48, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
In April 1992 the health ministers of all Australian states, territories, and the federal government endorsed Australia's first National Mental Health Policy. The major principles outlined in the policy include protecting consumers' rights, setting national service standards, mainstreaming mental health services with general health services, better integrating inpatient and community mental health services to ensure continuity of care, and linking mental health services and other social and disability services. A five-year National Mental Health Plan, accompanied by additional federal funding, has also been released, with time frames for implementing the policy in all states and territories and at the federal level.
