The peak body representing Tasmania's mental health sector has welcomed the state's cabinet reshuffle, but says more needs to be done for people before they become acutely unwell.
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On Tuesday Jeremy Rockliff was sworn in as the state's first mental health and wellbeing minister in a division of the health portfolio, which has now been handed over to Sarah Courtney.
While other state's have similar portfolios for mental health, Mr Rockliff's position represents an Australian-first focus for both mental health and wellbeing.
Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive Connie Digolis said the shake-up was a "reasonable" acknowledgement that many needs associated with mental health went beyond just medical services.
"When we think about mental health in the health portfolio, that is very much around the medical model and medical services - that is what government is responsible for delivering," she said.
"But if we talk about mental health needs more broadly, it is also about psychosocial supports, non-clinical support and community supports that can all aid recovery. That sits outside of health.
"We hope that this new role will strengthen the focus on what we need to be doing outside of our public mental health services."
According to the latest State of Public Health report, the number of Tasmanians who self-identify with mental illness has increased markedly compared to other chronic conditions, from 10 per cent in 2001 to 21 per cent in 2015.
From 2013 to 2017 there were 398 deaths by suicide in Tasmania - an average of 80 a year. For the full year 2017-18, there was also 7516 mental health presentations to Tasmanian hospital emergency departments, statewide.
In his new role Mr Rockliff said he would work closely with the health minister to implement the government's suicide prevention strategies, as well as the Rethink Mental Health Plan.
Introduced in 2015, one of 10 key reforms outlined in the plan was a shift in focus from hospital-based care to support in the community, along with reducing the stigma around mental ill-health.
Ms Digolis said it was time to reconsider the landscape of the plan and to ensure early intervention and prevention remained a focus.
"I think we should always look at change as being an opportunity," she said.
"There is good grounds to believe this could be a really unique opportunity for us, by seeing more focused attention. To have two ministers working on a problem isn't a terrible thing.
"If you have one standing by the design, and the other taking responsibility for the implementation, then I know that could be really positive."
- For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Mental Health Services Helpline on 1800 332 388.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
