Building Mentally and Physically Healthy Australians

The Long Term National Health Plan recognises that depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychosis are health problems to be treated just like diabetes, asthma and broken bones. In line with this, a major focus of the Long Term National Health Plan is to deliver the world’s best mental health system – stigma-free and focused on prevention, starting with children under 12.

Under this plan, Minister for Health Greg Hunt believes we will build a mentally and physically healthy Australia. He suggests this is the first time that mental health will be rated equally alongside physical health.

The Long Term National Health Plan charts the way forward over the next three and ten years in the key areas of mental health, primary care, hospitals, preventative health and medical research. It includes the:

• 2030 mental health vision
• 10-year Primary Health Care Plan
• 10-year National Preventative Health Strategy
• 10-year Medical Research Future Fun (MRFF) Investment Plan

To help inform the Plan, the Government is commissioning a multi-year study of more than 60,000 Australians to provide the most complete picture ever of our physical and mental health. The Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study will cover mental health, general health, nutrition and physical activity.