SA Mental Health Commission Government of South Australia Country Resources Mental Health Strategies and Plans South Australia 14 December 2017 Policy document

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Right now, one in five (over 280,000) South Australians aged 16–85 is experiencing a diagnosable mental illness. At some point in their lives, 45% of South Australians will experience a diagnosable mental illness. Those South Australians that don’t experience a diagnosable mental illness will be impacted by family members, friends or work colleagues that are experiencing a diagnosable mental illness. Mental health and wellbeing are issues for every South Australian. For too long the stigma associated with mental illness has prevented open discussion and positive engagement focussed on strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of all South Australians. Substantial work with a broad agenda for mental health reform has been undertaken at both a national and state level over the past two decades. Despite this, many people do not get the care they need and mental illness has continued to significantly impact on the ability of many South Australians to lead meaningful and contributing lives. Mental illness remains a significant contributor to disability, reduced productivity and suffering in our community. This plan sets a 20-year vision for mental health and wellbeing in SA, focussing on state-wide strategic directions over the next five years. It is not only about mental illness, but aims to shift the focus to a whole-of-person, whole-of-life, whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to building, sustaining and strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of all South Australians. The plan sets the foundation for work to commence immediately on the development of future actions to address key areas for change highlighted by South Australians.

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