Foreword
The Australian Government is providing significant funding and national leadership through the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health. The Mental Health Community Based Program helps families cope with mental illness and is an important community based measure under the National Action Plan.
The Program funds a range of projects to support families, carers, children, and young people whose lives are affected by mental illness. The Program has a focus on Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities and the special needs of these groups.
The Program is one of three mental health initiatives being delivered by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) under the COAG National Action Plan. The others are the Personal Helpers and Mentors Program, and the Mental Health Respite Care Program. Together, these measures provide a range of support services for individuals with mental illness, their families, their carers, and the communities that support them. They represent a strong community focus by the Australian Government to address mental health issues.