ABSTRACT:The National Mental Health Strategy aims to assist people with a mental illness to have access to improved services and support, with community based services as the option of first choice. The Commonwealth, State and Territory governments are working together with consumers, professionals and other key parties so that mental health services are ‘mainstreamed’ within the general health system. This will also ensure that permanent improvements are made in the way Australia responds to the needs of people with mental disorders. Access to an integrated network of different services, including those outside the health system, is an essential component of the strategy. Ensuring that residents of rural and remote areas have adequate access to mental health services is apriority of the Strat