The Commission acknowledges and pays respect to the past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away
Equally Well aims to improve the quality of life of people living with mental illness by providing equal access to quality health care.
The Commission led the development of Equally Well in Australia to show a commitment to putting the health care of people living with mental illness and the rest of the population on an equal footing.
Equally Well has been established to champion physical health as a priority for people living with a mental illness and to ultimately reduce the life expectancy gap between people living with mental illness and the rest of the population. People with a mental illness have poorer physical health, yet they receive less accessible and lower quality health care than the rest of the population – some dying younger, when they might have enjoyed greater longevity with better access to consistent, high quality health care and follow up - issues that the Commission prioritises and continues to address.
We are all committed to putting health care for people living with mental illness on an equal footing to that of people without a mental illness.
PROFESSOR ALLAN FELS AO
Resources
The Equally Well website has resources which provide information about how to improve the physical health of people living with a mental illness and are tailored to consumers, carers, professionals and service providers.
A summary, published via Equally Well, called Physical health of people living with a mental illness: A narrative literature review, by Associate Professor Russell Roberts, examines this issue more closely. It discusses the body of evidence related to poor health outcomes for some people living with mental illness and is available on the Equally Well publications page.
The Commission acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we live, work and learn.
Diversity
The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Lived Experience
We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.
