Everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe when seeking care.
By listening, learning and acting together, we can build a system that reflects the diversity of our state and delivers for everyone.
10-Year Framework
Victorians are diverse, and so are their mental health and wellbeing needs. We know that people's experiences of the mental health system can be different and not always equitable.
The Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing 10-Year Framework 2025-35 (the Framework) vision is for Victorians to access a safe and inclusive mental health and wellbeing system that reflects, embraces and responds to diversity.
The Framework was developed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of diverse communities, with a focus on:
- LGBTIQA+ Victorians
- Multicultural Victorians
- Victorians with disability.
The Framework is part of the response to the Royal Commission's Recommendation 34. It will help us reduce stigma and discrimination of Victoria's diverse communities, because good mental health and wellbeing is a basic human right.
Too often, the voices of diverse communities have been pushed aside or overlooked. This Framework was co-designed with people from people from diverse communities. Their perspectives guide the actions we take.
The Framework will guide the Victorian Government's actions over the next 10 years to:
- support these communities
- embed diversity, equity and inclusion through an intersectional lens across the whole mental health and wellbeing system.
The foundational phase will elevate diversity, equity and inclusion in key mental health reforms. This includes the rollout of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, and the work of the Wellbeing Promotion Office.
Blueprint for 2025-28
The Diverse Communities Blueprint for Action is a snapshot of the government's actions over the next 3 years. Implementation plans will be released every 3-4 years, with specific actions under each of the Framework's areas of change.
This will provide services with:
- stronger guidance
- clearer expectations
- practical tools to embed diversity, equity and inclusion.
Framework to Action
To support implementation of the Framework, the Framework to Action provides tips for mental health services to:
- partner with community-led organisations
- support mental health access for diverse communities.
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