The unfortunate reality is that those in our community battling mental illness are likely to endure higher rates of unemployment, have worse physical health, live in poorer housing and suffer discrimination in many areas of their lives.

AS Carol da Costa-Roque observed in Monday’s The Courier-Mail our society has some way to go towards providing people with mental illness with the full understanding, care and support that they deserve.

The unfortunate reality is that those battling mental illness are likely to endure higher unemployment, have worse physical health, live in poorer housing and suffer discrimination in many areas of their lives.

As a government, we want to play our part to revitalise mental health services and policy in this state, while also changing the conversation about mental health for the better.

In line with our election commitments, we have initiated a Commission of Inquiry into the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre. This is not purely a backward-looking exercise – the recommendations of this inquiry will guide our way forward to the best treatment for people with conditions similar to those of the former patients at the centre.

Last April, we took the first step to rebuilding youth mental health support by allocating $11.8 million to commission two four-bed youth residential rehabilitation units and two two-bedroom self-contained family accommodation facilities in Townsville. We have also selected a new site in Cairns for a short-term residential facility.

But there remains much to be done in the mental health space and not just for young people. Click here to read more.

The 17^th International Mental Health Conference will be held at the brand new Sea World Resort Conference Centre on the Gold Coast, QLD from the 11 -12 August 2016. To register for the conference click here.