Mental health services in Victoria are struggling to keep up with rising demand, a government report says.
Too many people who need mental health services don't receive timely or appropriate care, particularly in regional areas, according to Victoria's Priorities for Mental Health Reform 2013-2015.
It also said emergency departments are increasingly being used as a pathway to care.
The number of mental health admissions from emergency departments increased steadily from just over 6000 in 2007/2008 to more than 10,000 in 2012/2013, the report said.
Over the same period, the number of mental health admission rose from about 14,000 to 16,000.
"Consistently high bed-occupancy levels, high caseloads and blockages in moving people through services reflect these pressures, making it hard for many people to access timely care," the report said.
Services are fragmented as a result of being developed in an ad hoc way, the report said.
The document, which outlines reforms planned for the sector, said a significant proportion of the million Victorians who suffer from mental illness have complex needs.
Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said the government had developed a reform agenda that included strengthening clinical mental health services, broadening prevention and promotion and connecting mental health services with other health and human services.
"Long-term recovery and support for overall health and wellbeing, social connectedness and economic participation are paramount in our reforms," Ms Wooldridge said in a statement.
Significant reform of the sector was already under way, she said.
The government will introduce and implement a new mental health act next year, she said.
Deputy opposition leader James Merlino said the report showed services were under strain and the Mental Health Act was supposed to have been introduced this year.
"There has been no sign of it, while the situation for people with a mental illness seeking treatment has gotten worse," Mr Merlino said.
