Partially delivered and in progress.
What the Royal Commission said
The Royal Commission recommended that the Victorian Government fund and support the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission to work with partners, including research organisations, to design and deliver programs that reduce stigma around mental health. These anti-stigma programs should operate on a long-term basis and aim to reduce stigma in different settings, such as healthcare, workplaces, and schools.
The Royal Commission also recommends the development of an anti-stigma grants program to:
- fund community groups and individuals to run projects that challenge stigma in their local areas
- focus first on communities and groups that are at higher risk of stigma.
Anti-stigma efforts across Victoria should conduct a comprehensive evaluation to build evidence about what works best to reduce stigma and use this evidence to improve future programs.
The Royal Commission also recommended setting up systems to:
- address broader, system-wide discrimination related to mental health
- improve access to legal protection for people experiencing discrimination
- support one or two independent legal services to take legal action, including test cases, especially where there are widespread or systemic issues.
What we’ve achieved
The Victorian Government is working to reduce stigma and discrimination through targeted initiatives and ensuring rights-based protections are in place for all Victorians.
Diverse communities
The 10-year Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework actively promotes inclusive, intersectional approaches to support marginalised communities. The Framework will guide the Victorian Government’s actions over the next 10 years to support diverse communities, and embed diversity, equity and inclusion through an intersectional lens across the whole mental health and wellbeing system.
The Diverse Communities Grants Program has funded over 40 projects to deliver a range of programs, direct services, advocacy, research and workforce development to create a more diverse and inclusive mental health and wellbeing system.
Schools
- In schools, early findings from the Mental Health in Primary Schools program show that, over time, increasing the capacity of schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of their students is helping to reduce stigma among staff and families.
Equal rights
- As of April 2025, Victoria’s strengthened anti-vilification laws protect individuals from public hatred based on protected attributes, including disability.
- In addition, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission plays an important role in promoting fairness and protecting rights. It helps people address unlawful discrimination and supports individuals experiencing discrimination related to mental illness.
What we’re doing
Helping support the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission to work with a network of partners, including research organisations, to lead the design and delivery of anti-stigma programs
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