Western Australia Minister for Mental Health Graham Jacobs

New Funding for Mental Health Anti-Stigma Campaign

Victor P Taffa

Mental Health Promotion received a boost today following the announcement of $300,000 in State Government funding to the Act-Belong-Commit Campaign.

Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs said the funding would enable the State-wide campaign to continue educating the community about the importance of Mental Health.

“Act-Belong-Commit is a Health Promotion Campaign encouraging people to take action to improve their Mental Wellbeing.” Dr. Jacobs said.

“Television advertising and local promotions create awareness and motivate people to look after their Mental Health.”

The $300,000 funding will come from the Mental Health Commission and is double the commitment from the previous year.

Act-Belong-Commit is directed by Mentally Healthy WA at Curtin University, and is implemented through health services, local governments, women’s health services and not-for-profit groups.

The key message of the community-based campaign is that keeping mentally healthy is as important as being physically healthy.

“There is no Health without Mental Health.” the Minister said.

“For all of us, to keep our minds healthy we need to be mentally and physically active and to feel we belong by involving ourselves in family and community events.  People then benefit from taking on challenges and causes that provide them with meaning and purpose.”

“In other words, Act-Belong-Commit encourages people to take up activities they enjoy and where they learn new skills and form new relationships.” Dr. Jacobs said.

“Under the campaign, local groups come together to create positive changes in their community and new partnerships link people better to the support they need.”

“The State Government shares the Campaign’s Vision for a Mentally Healthy Western Australia.” Dr. Jacobs said.