Landmark five-year mental health plan released

The Queensland Government will deliver the most comprehensive boost to mental health, alcohol and other drug services in the state’s history, following a review that identified ways to enhance how the state supports people in need.

Coinciding with Queensland Mental Health Week from 8-16 October, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath today released both the Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan 2022–2027 and the Better Care Together – a plan for Queensland’s state-funded mental health, alcohol and other drug services to 2027.

The release of the Better Care Together – a plan for Queensland’s state-funded mental health, alcohol and other drug services through to 2027, follows a parliamentary inquiry that identified how to improve mental health outcomes.

“Better Care Together will take forward many of the key recommendations of the inquiry which the government has committed to delivering,” the Minister said.

“It will guide expanded services across the continuum and lifespan and more comprehensive treatment, harm reduction, care and support across our hospitals and community.

“Better Care Together also has a strong focus on addressing the health inequities experienced by First Nations peoples and communities through the development and delivery of culturally safe and capable treatment, care and support.”

Better Care Together was developed based on consultation with more than 500 stakeholders across our Hospital and Health Services, peak bodies, non-government organisations and people with lived experience.

“The Palaszczuk Government has shown its commitment to delivering better mental health, alcohol and other drug services through a record $1.6 billion record investment in the latest State Budget,” the Minister said.

“This investment will go toward mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment beds and staff in our services, both in the community and hospitals, dedicated child and adolescent support services, crisis response and suicide prevention services and a package dedicated to First Nations peoples.”

Minister D’Ath said Achieving Balance was a whole-of-government plan developed by the Queensland Mental Health Commission to reduce alcohol and other drug related harm and improve outcomes for individuals and families impacted by substance use.

“Achieving Balance represents a new era in the state’s response to problematic alcohol and other drug use, with a commitment to reducing individual, family, social and economic impacts,” she said.

Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said Achieving Balance was a sub-plan of Shifting Minds, Queensland’s whole-of-government approach to mental health and wellbeing.

“The Queensland Mental Health Commission is proud to play a part in guiding and enhancing support services for Queenslanders dealing with mental health, alcohol or drug issues,” Commissioner Frkovic said.

“These plans are the culmination of widespread consultation with experts in the field and those with lived experience, along with government and non-government agencies and the community.

“We owe it to our children and grandchildren, and to those affected by alcohol and other drugs, to have the most effective responses possible.”

Minister D’Ath said funding for both landmark plans stemmed from Queensland Health’s record $23.6 billion budget, which includes $1.645 billion for mental health initiatives.

“As many as 20 per cent of Australian adults experience mental illness each year, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this,” she said.

“It is why our Budget includes $1.645 billion over five years to improve our mental health, alcohol and other drugs services, meaning more beds, dedicated services, increased crisis response and suicide prevention initiatives and a package specific to First Nations peoples.”

Better Care Together is available here.

Achieving Balance is available here.

Media contact: Cullen Robinson 0418 170 474