29 September 2014

Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health

Getting healthy this Mental Health Week

The Liberal Government is committed to delivering our Long Term Plan for Mental Health.

Mental Health Week, which starts on October 6, is an important time to remind all Tasmanians that our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health.

During Mental Health Week Tasmanians are encouraged to check in on their own mental wellbeing and play a role in reducing the stigma for people living with mental ill-health.

Around 60,000 Tasmanians experience mental ill-health each year. It's important that we use every opportunity to start taking action towards looking after our mental wellbeing.

The Liberal Government has set out a vision for mental health in Tasmania through our election commitment: A Long Term Plan for Mental Health.

We have committed to a range of initiatives around the Rethink Mental Health Project, Suicide Prevention and Community Mental Health Support and Investment, including:

• Investing into the continued development of the Rural Alive and Well Program, including new services on the West Coast;
• Addressing men's wellbeing through ongoing work with Tasmanian Men's Sheds;
• Working with the Tasmanian Association of Community Houses to provide mental health outreach services through the Neighbourhood House network; and
• Investing $3 million over three years into targeted and proactive suicide prevention initiatives.

The Rethink Mental Health Project will:

• Provide an analysis of Tasmanian public, private, federal, state and community sector delivered mental health services;
• Make recommendations for system reform and strategic investment into services, workforce and capital infrastructure; and
• Deliver better outcomes for consumers and their carers and families.

We can't underestimate the importance of encouraging conversations, interaction and education on mental illness and metal wellbeing.

I encourage everyone to check out what's happening in the region this Mental Health Week.

For the full program of events go to: www.mhct.org

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