The second national mental health plan: an opportunity to take stock and move forward

In the first five years of Australia's National Mental Health Strategy (inc luding the National Mental Health Plan), there has already been a 55% incre ase in spending on community health services, and overall funding for menta l health services has increased by 24%. However, the broadening of the Plan 's objectives warrants further increases in mental health funding. The focu s has been on people with psychotic disorders (who represent a minority of those with mental disorders); in the Second National Mental Health Plan, en dorsed in July 1998, the focus is broadened to include depressive disorders , and promotion of mental well-being in the broader community is a key them e. These initiatives will require partnerships, particularly with primary c are.