Victorians with a mental illness should be able to live a fulfilling life.
That means participating in learning and education, the workforce, enjoying good physical health, stable housing and a life free from abuse and violence.
To achieve this we must also reduce the stigma around mental illness.
Victoria’s 10-year Mental health plan outlines our vision for all Victorians to experience their best possible mental health.
The services and initiatives we are investing in, as part of this plan, are already improving the mental health and wellbeing of Victorians, and driving better results for people with a mental illness, their families and carers.
We also recognise that mental health issues are complex, so we are investing in the services and support Victorians need, over the next decade.
For more information on health issues such as depression on the Better Health website.
For more information on Healthy eating on the Better Health website.
Adapting to increased demand
Almost half of us (45 per cent) will directly experience a mental health condition in our lifetime.
People with a mental illness often experience poorer health and wellbeing than their fellow Victorians. That’s one of the reasons we are investing to meet the increasing demand for mental health services and to tailor support services, so they are delivered at the right time and in the right place.
Better, earlier supports
In the last financial year alone, the Victorian Government has invested $1.14 billion in clinical mental health services and $128 million in mental health community support services.
We are also striving to earlier and more connected support, while continuing to move towards more person-centred services. This means services that involve family members, helping them to understand the impact of trauma on mental health, and giving people the best chance at recovery.
In the Victorian Budget 2017-18, we have invested a record $325.7 million in mental health services to continue implementation of Victoria’s 10-year Mental health plan to save and improve lives. This includes significant investment to meet clinical services demand, provide additional inpatient services, and to employ more allied health staff for weekend inpatient coverage.
The 2017-18 budget also provides funding to build a Grampians Prevention and Recovery Care Centre, giving local patients the same options as those in Melbourne.
Further information on Community health services can be found on the Health.vic website.
Actions and outcomes
Investing $201.1 million to meet clinical services demand and provide additional inpatient services, as well as a further $39.4 million to enhance the mental health system.
Aboriginal Victorians
Action: Make sure Aboriginal Victorians receive appropriate mental health support.
Outcome: Strengthens the mental health system in key areas such as the Mental Health Tribunal. It also improves more treatment facilities, and provides more culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal Victorians.
Renewing facilities
Action: Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Facilities Renewal Fund grants can be used to remodel or refurbish existing Victorian Government funded service facilities, to improve their quality and safety.
Outcome: Better quality facilities means greater comfort for patients. It also enables clinicians to deliver safer and more efficient care, which improves patient wellbeing.
Grampians Prevention and Recovery Care
Action: We’re building a Grampians Prevention and Recovery Care centre with 20 rehabilitation beds.
Outcome: Previously patients seeking treatment had to travel to Bendigo or Melbourne. This new facility will help people end their drug addiction while being able to stay closer to home.
The Mental health workforce strategy ensures we continue to strengthen the mental health workforce as demands increase, our population ages and clients increasingly present with diverse and complex needs.
Action: The recruitment campaign, Hello Open Minds, promotes the benefits of working in mental health and resources for people considering mental health as a future career.
Outcome: Increased awareness of the positive aspects of working in mental health, and the diversity of mental health career opportunities and pathways.
There is a concerted effort underway to reduce suicide in Victoria by building resilience and providing support and care. More information on the Victorian Suicide Prevention framework 2016-2025 can be found on the Health.vic website.
Action: We’re continuing to implement the Victorian suicide prevention framework, with six health services trialing assertive outreach for people leaving hospital following an attempted suicide attempt.
Outcome: People leaving hospital after a suicide attempt will receive better quality care through recovery. Our goal is to halve Victoria’s suicide rate by 2025.
Six sites across Victoria will receive new emergency department crisis hubs – specially designed 24-hour short-stay units in emergency departments, to treat people during times of crisis.
Actions: $68.5 million to develop and implement integrated mental health, alcohol and other drugs emergency model of care at six major emergency departments.
Outcomes: The new hubs will ensure people presenting with mental health issues get the right support sooner, freeing up emergency departments.
