Premier’s message

Mental health and wellbeing is essential for a satisfying, productive life. Our government is committed to supporting Victorians to achieve good mental health, and to assisting people who experience mental health problems to recover and thrive. The new Victorian mental health strategy is a critical step towards achieving these goals.

Mental health is an issue for the entire community. Most people will feel the impact of a mental illness at some time in their lives, either through their own experience, or through family or friends, or in the workplace. The new Victorian mental health strategy provides the leadership that Victorians have requested in mental health - focusing on the need to intervene early in life, early in illness and early in episode.

In August last year, I was privileged to host a roundtable on mental health. This brought together mental health professionals, health service providers, police, magistrates, business leaders, educators, researchers, people affected by mental illness and their carers. The clear message arising from the roundtable was that we need new approaches to mental illness and its impacts on our community.

Because mental health matters sends a strong message that Victoria is determined to achieve better social and economic outcomes for people with mental illness, their families, carers and friends. This reflects the principles underpinning A Fairer Victoria, Victoria’s action plan to reduce disadvantage and strengthen social inclusion.

Effective and sustainable reform of our mental health system, to address the deeply ingrained social and economic disadvantage that often accompanies mental illness, requires open and ongoing engagement with all stakeholders, and a whole-of government approach.

Because mental health matters is based on wide consultation and draws on national and international best practice. It acknowledges the fundamental role that all parts of government at all levels can play in facilitating reform. It invites collaboration and partnerships with consumers, non-government organisations and the private sector. It is an agenda for the long term, not a quick fix.

Importantly, this strategy puts people at its centre to ensure that we strive to provide support for maintaining mental health, quality care when people become ill and support for recovery.

Through this ambitious ten-year plan, Victoria will remain at the forefront of the national
momentum to tackle one of this country’s most challenging health issues.

The Hon. John Brumby
Premier

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