People living with mental illness
Nearly half the Australian population (45%) will have a mental illness at some stage of their life. Depression, trauma and anxiety are the most common. Other conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar are less common.
People with mental illness are more likely to face widespread barriers in getting health and related services, which can be made worse at the end of life.
Queensland Health is committed to giving care at the end of life to all people living with mental illness, carers and their families. Our aim is to make sure people with mental illness who are at the end of life:
- get cared for with respect, dignity and confidentiality
- can get healthcare and palliative care services, if needed
- have their treatment and condition explained to them in a way they can understand
- get cared for in the same way as everyone else
- have their individual medical, social, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs supported
- have the chance to take part in advance care planning
- get care from people they know and trust.
Planning ahead and decision-making
Mental health issues do not prevent someone from participating in advance care planning. The main consideration for people living with mental illness is capacity. A person does not necessarily lack capacity for decision-making because they live with mental illness.
If people have capacity and wish to plan for future healthcare other than mental health care (for example, surgery or care at the end of life), they can do this by carrying out advance care planning.
Find out more information about advance care planning:
Advance health directive for mental health
There is a difference between what a person can decide about their mental health care and what they can decide about other types of healthcare. An advance health directive for mental health is different to an advance health directive.
Related information about advance health directive for mental health:
- Advance health directive for mental health guide and form (PDF, 4.7MB)
- About the Mental Health Act 2016
- Your rights and support