Time to implement national mental health reform.

“We look forward to specific decisions the Government is prepared to take in response to the NMHC ecommendations” At the halfway point of its first term, the Abbott Government has finally released the 700-page report of the National Review of Mental Health Programmes and Services, Contributing lives, thriving communities.1 Fulfilling a 2013 election commitment, Health Minister Dutton had requested the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) to recommend specific actions that the federal government could take to directly improve the lives of those affected by mental health problems, as well as to enhance programs for preventing suicide. The terms of reference of the review were restricted to considering how existing resources could be better deployed rather than making requests for new funding.