Mental health care: take 2

Abstract

We are pleased to present our second issue on mental health care. Perhaps indicative of the needs in this sector, the original call for papers generated more interest than could be accommodated in one issue. We are also pleased to report that there has been some momentum in improving mental health care. The 2006?07 national budget delivered the government?s commitment for $1.9 billion to improve services for people with a mental illness. The largest component of the funding was allocated to Medicare rebates designed to improve access to general practitioners, psychiatrists and psychologists. Funding was also allocated to additional training places, to increase availability of mental health nurses and clinical psychologists. Funding for mental health programs included a focus on services for rural, remote and Indigenous communities of Australia, drug and alcohol, suicide prevention, early detection and social activity.