The vision of the National Mental Health Policy 2008 is for a mental health system that:

• enables recovery
• prevents and detects mental illness early
• ensures that all Australians with a mental illness can access effective and appropriate treatment and community support to enable them to participate fully in the community.

The National Mental Health Policy 2008 provides a strategic vision for further whole-of-government mental health reform in Australia.The aims of the National Mental Health Policy 2008 are to:

• promote the mental health and well-being of the Australian community  and, where possible, prevent the development of mental health problems  and mental illness
• reduce the impact of mental health problems and mental illness, including  the effects of stigma on individuals, families and the community
• promote recovery from mental health problems and mental illness
• assure the rights of people with mental health problems and mental illness, and enable them to participate meaningfully in society.