Assessing the Effectiveness of the National Mental Health Policy 2008

This report provides an overview of Australia's National Mental Health Policy 2008, examining its importance, implementation, and evidence of its impact on mental health in the country. It discusses the policy's focus on prevention, early detection, treatment, and the protection of the rights of individuals with mental illness. The report highlights the policy's role in enhancing mental health service delivery, promoting social inclusion, and addressing factors contributing to mental disorders such as substance abuse and depression. It also considers the policy's strategic framework for government and agencies to support those at risk of mental illnesses, emphasizing access to quality treatment and community support. The analysis concludes by noting the positive changes and improvements in mental health services attributed to the policy's implementation.

Running Head: NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICY 2008 1
National Mental Health Policy 2008
Names
Institution

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Contents
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Description of national mental health disorder policy................................................................................3
Description of Mental health issue..............................................................................................................4
Importance of the national mental health policy 2008...............................................................................5
Implementation...........................................................................................................................................7
Evidence on how the policy has addressed mental health in Australia.......................................................9
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................11
References.................................................................................................................................................12

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Abstract
Mental illness has been among the key health issues that the Australian government has been
attempting to address. Over the past years, various interventions have been implemented in this
country to ensure mentally ill people have easy access to healthcare, their rights are respected,
and they are given opportunities to play a role in the society. Among these intervention measures
comprise of the National mental health policy 2008 which was implemented by the national
government with the primary aim of improving the well-being of the mentally ill. This paper
aims to look how these policy has assisted in addressing this health issue, by analyzing its
importance and the evidence that show its achievement. The paper will also look at how the
policy was implemented, and what the government has done to ensure full compliance. At the
end of the paper a conclusion will be provided concerning the major findings of this study.

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National Mental Health Policy 2008
Introduction
In Australia, enhancing public health is one of the major initiatives that the government
has been considering (Osborn, 2014). Over the past years, the country has experienced high
mortality rates related to mental health. This being the case, what policies have the government
and other agencies introduced to reduce the rate of mental illnesses? To address some of the
factors that affect good health among its people, the government through its department of health
has established various policies Aimed at mental health in this country.
According to Muller (2014), at least 20 percent of the people aged between 16-85 years
in Australia experience one type of mental illness in a year. Some of the common psychiatrist
issues, in this case, include depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. Over the years, the
government and other agencies have been using different strategies to address the issue,
including conducting campaigns, banning the use of illegal drugs, putting up clinics for mental
checkups and so forth. However, some of these strategies have not been effective because they
are either not implemented in the right way, or lacks proper means of putting them into practice.
To help in curbing the increase in cases of psychiatrist related disorders, the government
introduced national mental health policy.
While establishing the national mental health strategies, the government considered four
significant aspects: the national mental health policy 2008, national mental health plan, the
psychological health statement of rights and responsibilities, and the funding agreement between
the commonwealth and its states (Bartlett, 2011). From these strategies, the national mental
health policy has been playing a significant role in making the country to the well-being of

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICY 2008 5
mentally ill people. This policy focuses on intervention, early detection, and treatment. It also
focuses on protecting the rights of mentally ill people and enhancing their living standards
Description of national mental health policy
The national mental health policy 2008 focuses on enabling recovery, preventing and
early detection of mental illness, and protecting the rights of the people with mental illness, by
ensuring they are given a chance to play a role in the community (Peay, 2011). In prevention, the
policy seeks to minimize stigma on the patients, their families, and the community.
The national health policy in Australia helps the country to enhance its response to health
and welfare service system regarding the increased cases of mental health care needs of the
people. According to Smith & Buchanan (2013), this policy shows the government’s focus on
the enhancement of mental health system across the country. According to the department of
health, this policy, among other interventions, has been playing a significant role in minimizing
mental illnesses in the country.
According to Danielle (2012), this policy is aimed at addressing the factors that lead to
mentally related disorders such as substance use, depression, and anxiety. Based on the fact that
some of the mental illnesses lead to memory loss, this policy was also introduced to enhance the
living standards of such people because in most cases they tend to be neglected in the society.
The government focuses on attaining good living conditions of such people through the
provision of proper moral support, shelter, and clothing. The policy also aims at ensuring all
Australians with psychiatrist illnesses are given adequate and appropriate access to high-quality
treatment, as well as sufficient community support to help them cope with the condition.

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICY 2008 6
Description of Mental health issue
According to Weir (2011), mental health is a situation of well-being where people have
good abilities to cope with the normal stresses of life, perform regular duties, and make a
contribution to their communities. Positive mental health comprises of cognition, emotion, and
social functioning and coherence. In Australia, mental health has been one of the main factors
which the government seeks to address because with an increase in consumption of substances,
many people especially the youth have been diagnosed with various types of mental disorders.
Some of the most common psychiatrist issues in this country comprise of depression, dementia,
bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.
Some of the symptoms associated with these illnesses comprise of changes in personality,
mood switch, and social withdrawal. According to Judy (2014), mental illness is a common issue
in Australia, just as it is in other developed countries, and has a significant impact on individuals,
their families and the society. Research has shown that one in five people aged between 16 to 85
in this country has one type of mental disorders, indicating that this issue affects people ranging
from teens to aged.
Danielle (2012) affirms that more teenagers in this country are in severe psychological
distress, despite the various measures that have been established to address the issue. The
alarming increase in mental illness has been majorly attributed to the increased level of drug
consumption and family break ups.
One of the reasons that makes the government and other agencies to prioritize
enhancement of mental health is because it is termed as one of the key determinants of overall
health and socio-economic development. According to Pauline (2011), the government has
implemented various strategies to address this issue, some of them being building rehabilitation

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facilities, curbing substance use, providing free counseling services, implementing policies to
enhance the well-being of the patients and their families, and so forth.
According to Judy (2014), mentally ill people have the rights to participate in the
community meaningfully, access proper mental and general health service, vocational
rehabilitation, housing, disability services and respite care. This means because they are at times
discriminated and stigmatized, proper intervention measures must be put in place to ensure they
fully attain good living standards, as well as high-quality medical services that can enhance their
quality of health.
Because mental health issue has a significant impact on the country’s political, social and
economic factors, the national government, and private groups have been implementing various
strategies to ensure all caused of these illnesses have been identified and addressed (Whittington
& Logan, 2011). One of the strategies that have shown to be effective on this issue is
implementing various policies intended to ensure mentally ill people are treated with decency by
ensuring they are given easy access to healthcare, they are free from discrimination and
stigmatization, and they are given an opportunity to enjoy available resources like other citizens.
Importance of the national mental health policy 2008
The national health policy has been playing a key role in enhancing the welfare of
Australians who suffer from different forms of mental illnesses. According to Jeffrey (2011),
mentally ill patients are sometimes neglected in the society because they are seen as people who
are entirely different from others. This makes them to develop other psychological problems that
worsen their condition. This policy has been assisting the people with these types of illnesses to
be accepted in the society and to enjoy their rights.

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Palmer (2011) states that this policy plays a crucial role in reiterating the importance of
having good mental health in Australia, by assisting the people to understand the effects
associated with mentally-related illnesses. Over the years, it has been acting as an essential tool
for continued enhancement of mental health service delivery across the country, and in providing
better vision for the people who are at the risk of developing mental disorders. It has also been
making those who experience, or prone to mental illnesses or disorders to attain health care
services that match their clinical and support needs.
The policy has made mentally ill Australians to be actively involved in their own care
and recovery, and get involved in a system that enhances participation and collaboration of
people from different sectors, including the government and private agencies (Smith &
Buchanan, 2013). These interventions have been playing a significant role in assisting people
with these illnesses to feel supported when their close relatives neglect them.
Anne-Maree (2011) affirms that the national mental health policy 2008 has also been
providing a strategic framework for the national government and other agencies to provide full
support and improve mental health outcomes for the Australians who are at the risk of
experiencing any type of mental illnesses. The policy has been assisting the society to understand
that there are some groups of people such as the homeless, those who are at the risk of traumatic
events, as well as those with acute or chronic health issues, are at increased risks of getting
mental disorders.
The other importance of this policy is that it puts into consideration that people in
different life stages especially the adolescents and the aged people are at high risks of developing
mental illnesses, and therefore takes proper measures to ensure they live healthily (Eghigian,
2010). To improve the welfare of all people, this policy does not attempt to replace existing

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICY 2008 9
rules, plans, or frameworks established to target particular groups, but considers specific
populations that are at increased risks of mental illnesses.
David (2012) affirms that there have been tremendous changes, and many positive things
have been attained since the establishment of this policy. Some of the critical elements attained
through this policy comprise of easy access to different services, improved quality delivery, and
more robust and accountable legislation. This policy has minimized the chances of developing
mental illnesses and disorders, and enhancement of the mental health among different people.
The mental health policy 2008 has been bringing together different sectors that influence
the mental health of individuals, their families, as well as communities, including health,
housing, community care, welfare, education, among others (Harper & Thompson, 2012).
Combined, these sectors play a fundamental role in enhancing mental health, and the well-being
of all Australians, and contribute in prevention and early intervention, as well as the recovery of
the people with mental health problems.
Through this policy, efforts have been taken to attain greatest social inclusion of all
communities in this country, especially for the people who are at higher risks of social exclusions
because of mental disorders. According to Michael (2012), the goal of social inclusion in this
policy recognizes good mental health is a crucial factor for the well-being of all people. It
identifies the factors faced by mentally ill people such as high chances of developing a disability,
low quality of health, and psychological problems to their families, and friends.
Implementation
Proper implementation of this policy can coordinate essential services and activities that
can aid in ensuring appropriate treatment and care is given to the sick, and also in preventing

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICY 2008 10
disintegration, as well as inefficiencies in the healthcare sector (Phil, 20110). For this policy to
continue working better, people across all groups in the country should be informed about its
presence. This could be through conducting campaigns to create awareness concerning its
existence or implementing it in schools so that students can learn how it works, and the benefits
it is likely to provide.
Some of the key factors that the government considered when implementing this policy
comprised of who it targets, the changes it is likely to bring, and how it will be enforced to
ensure it fully meets its purpose. The government also considered various other factors such as if
the policy may have a negative impact to some groups of people, and if so, the measures that can
be taken to ensure their well-being is factored in.
To ensure compliance with the policy, it is important to let people first understand its
requirements, and why it was implemented. This could be teaching the public about how this
policy relates to proper mental health, and how it can help individuals, their families and the
community. Having proper understanding of this policy will help them to see its significance and
comply with some of its requirements such as accepting mentally ill people, providing proper
housing to them, and assisting them to have easy access to healthcare (Michael, 2012). The
society will also understand how to avoid stigmatizing mentally ill people, attempt to guide them
in avoiding things that worsen their condition such as substance use, stress and so forth, and
protect them from activities that may put their lives into risk such as suicide, and injuries.
Advertising this policy in the most effective media platforms such as social media will
also be an effective way of making people to comply with it. According to David (2012), people
comply with policies that they understand how they work and the repercussions of going against

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICY 2008 11
them. This means while informing the citizens about the policy, it is important also to let them
know the possible measures that can be taken against those who break it.
Having law enforcement officers is also another effective way of enhancing compliance
(Smith & Buchanan, 2013). For this case, the government should have trained people who
investigate compliance in different areas such as health centers, correctional facilities, and even
at homes. For those who break the policy, proper legal action should be taken.
For the national mental health 2008 policy to work better, the government has established
requirements that people in different sectors associated with matters concerning psychological
health should adhere to (David, 2012). For instance, it directs all people to respect and
acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of people with a mental health problem. It also
argues all players in the healthcare sector to ensure medical services are offered in accordance
with the national and international obligations.
Evidence on how the policy has addressed mental health in Australia
The implementation of this policy came with favorable outcome in mental health (Kim,
2015). According to the Australian Department of health, mental illnesses have been decreasing
significantly over the years. Based on the data released by the Australian Bureau of statistics in
2017, it is clear that the country has had reduced cases of suicides related to mental illnesses and
disorders, as well as decreases in the cases of depression, anxiety and mental health issues
caused by substance use.
Mahmood (2016) affirms that this policy has made high-quality healthcare to be
delivered primarily in community settings, unlike in the past where there was a substantial
reliance on patient services that characterized the Australian’s health system. After the

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implementation of this policy, a high percentage of state and territory mental health resources
were dedicated to enhancing the living standards of the people associated with these illnesses,
and over the years, the community share for the total expenditure dedicated to mental health has
been increasing.
The national mental health policy 2008 has also led to an increased emphasis on the
safety, quality and general outcome of mental health care, as evidenced by various activities such
as regular measurements of clinician-rated and patient-rated outcomes in most of the services
related to this health issue (Craig, 2013). Additionally, access to mental health care has
significantly increased as a result of various measures included in this policy, such as the
establishment of more healthcare facilities, creating awareness, preventing the rights of mentally
ill people and so forth. Through this policy, the number of treatment plans developed by general
practitioners has been increasing, with more than six million services being provided by certified
psychologists and other experts.
According to Doessel (2016), mental health literacy has also increased across the country
during the life of the national mental health policy 2008, meaning the policy has bored positive
fruits. Research undertaken by various leaning and research institutions has been indicating an
increase in awareness of different things associated with mental health such as depression and
anxiety. There has also been a proper understanding of aspects that worsen mental health
conditions such as stigmatization and discrimination.
Other factors that imply positive contribution of this policy in addressing mental health
issues include recognition of the needs of mentally ill people and advocating for justice. Across
many areas of the country, the government and other agencies have been establishing better
housing as one of the ways of showing that they recognize the needs of the mentally ill (Kim,