[MMHA-E-Bulletin] December Media Release

[Multicultural Mental Health Australia]

Welcome to the Multicultural Mental Health Australia November 2004
E-Bulletin.
This free e-bulletin aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news
and information related to the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s
culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
For contributions: info at mmha.org.au
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This SPECIAL Edition:
MEDIA RELEASE: New Commonwealth of Australia Multicultural Mental Health
Policy~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA MULTICULTURAL MENTAL HEALTH POLICY

Media Release: Diversity a focus in mental health. 7th December 2004


Multicultural Mental Health Australia is pleased to announce the launch of
the Frameworkfor the Implementation of the National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008 in
Multicultural Australia.This valuable resource has been supported and funded by the Australian
Government underthe National Mental Health Strategy.

The Framework, which has been two years in the making, is designed to
complement andexpand on existing mainstream mental health policy, especially the
National Mental HealthPlan 2003-2008. Its main purpose is to help ensure the right of all
Australians to good mentalhealth, equal access to quality mental health services and an opportunity
to participate in their health care.
The National Multicultural Mental Health Policy Development Steering Group
developed theFramework for the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Committee National
Mental Health Working Group.This group provided expert assistance to Multicultural Mental Health
Australia in the development of the Framework.
“Today in Australia, one in three people identifies with a culturally and
linguistically diverse background.We need mental health services to reflect this diversity,’ said Mr. Keith
Wilson, Chair Mental HealthCouncil of Australia, who chaired the Steering Group.

Meetings were held around Australia including a National Consultation
Forum in August 2003and wide dissemination of an issues paper on which the final Framework is
based.“This Framework is the result of extensive community consultation. It
reflects the needs andissues of multicultural Australia,’ said Mr. Wilson.

The Framework, based on a population health approach to mental health in
diverse communities,acknowledges the importance of culture and the migration experience in
determining risk and protective factors.
‘The Framework strongly acknowledges that consumers from culturally and
linguisticallydiverse backgrounds, their families and carers, are key stakeholders in
the design and deliveryof culturally competent mental health services,’ said Mr Wilson.

The Framework calls for sustainable, accountable and quality mental health
services forAustralians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Copies of the Framework can be ordered by phoning the National Mental
Health Strategy line on 1800 066 247. Or Download the Framework from
www.mmha.org.au
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Contact:

Felicity Zadro
Communications and Information Officer
Multicultural Mental Health Australia
Ph: 02 9840 3333
Fax: 02 9840 3388
Mob: 0408 445 794


Meg Griffiths
National Program Manager
Multicultural Mental Health Australia
Ph: 02 9840 3333
Fax: 02 9840 3388


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Multicultural Mental Health Australia has extensive listings on mental
health resourcesand services. Available at: www.mmha.org.au. For more information please
contact us on:Tel: +61 2 9840 3333
Fax: +61 2 9840 3388
Email: admin at mmha.org.au
Website: www.mmha.org.au