Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy 2025-2030
The Mental Health Commission (Commission) is leading the development of a new Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Strategy 2025-2030 (MHAOD Strategy).
The State Government committed to the development of a new system-wide strategy as part of a broader package of reforms to improve leadership, collaboration and coordination of the mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems.
Beginning in 2025, the MHAOD Strategy will be the new guiding document for the state, across community, government, non-government and the private sector, that sets the vision for the mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems, services and supports for the next five years.
The new MHAOD Strategy will aim to identify whole-of-system priorities, including shifting toward more community-based services that provide earlier intervention and prevention, reducing reliance on acute, hospital-based services. Importantly, the MHAOD Strategy will adopt a person-centred focus that prioritises the smooth transition within and across systems and services, so people can access quality care when they need it.
Covering the entire spectrum of care, from keeping people well in the community, reducing harm and ensuring equitable access to services and support close to home, the MHAOD Strategy will seek to identify system and service gaps, enablers and priority areas for future investment and reform, including for priority groups and across our vast state.
The MHAOD Strategy will recognise experiences of mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues are connected to the broader environment in which people live, work and play, and will consider the social, environmental, and commercial factors that impact the health and wellbeing of people and communities.
The MHAOD Strategy will be informed by service mapping, best practice evidence and stakeholder and community consultation. This includes engagement with government and non-government partners, including peak bodies, consumers, families and carers, specialist system experts and key groups such as the Lived Experience Advisory Group, Clinical Advisory Group and Joint Leadership Group.
Where are we at now?
As a starting point we have been reviewing information from previous consultations, and other state and national policy and strategy documents. These themes are being incorporated into a discussion paper that will help inform our consultation processes, focusing on building on what we already know as well as uncovering new insights and priorities for action.
The Commission has also worked with two Technical Advisory Committees, one in mental health and one in alcohol and other drugs, to review available evidence, including mapping of services, and to explore gaps in services. This information will also be used to inform the discussion paper.
We are currently finalising our consultation approach and will provide an update soon.
How can I get involved?
Development of the MHAOD Strategy will also be informed by state-wide community consultation – and we want to hear from you!
The Commission’s website will be updated as opportunities to get involved become available. We encourage you to promote engagement opportunities among your networks, including service providers and people with lived experience of engaging across the systems.
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