Ministers of Mental Health are specific
Government Ministers
A minister is a politician who heads a ministry, making and implementing decisions on policies in conjunction with the other ministers. In some jurisdictions the head of government is also a minister and is designated the ‘prime minister’, ...
with a responsibility over
mental health
Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Mental health ...
.
History
Not many countries have dedicated ministers for mental health, however a minister with another name may be responsible for it.
By country
Australia
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Minister for Families and Social Services
The Minister for Social Services is the Australian federal government minister who oversees Australian Government social services, including mental health, families and children's policy, and support for carers and people with disabilities, and ...
, whose responsibilities include mental health – Senator
Anne Ruston
Anne Sowerby Ruston (born 10 June 1963) is an Australian politician who served as Minister for Families and Social Services in the Morrison Government from 2019 to 2022. She has been a Senator for South Australia since 2012.
Before entering p ...
*
Minister for Mental Health (Australian Capital Territory) –
Emma Davidson
Emma-Jane Davidson (born 1974) is a member of parliament in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly representing the ACT Greens
The ACT Greens is a green political party located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and ...
MLA
*
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women (New South Wales) –
Bronwyn Taylor
Bronwyn Taylor (known as Bronnie Taylor), an Australian politician, is the New South Wales Minister for Women, the Minister for Regional Health, and the Minister for Mental Health in the Perrottet ministry, since December 2021. Taylor has se ...
MLC
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Minister for Health (Northern Territory), whose responsibilities include mental health –
MLA
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Minister for Health and Ambulance Services (Queensland), whose responsibilities include mental health –
Yvette D'Ath
Yvette Maree D'Ath (born 26 July 1970) is an Australian politician. She is a Labor member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland representing the seat of Redcliffe. D'Ath is currently the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Leader ...
MP
*
Minister for Health and Wellbeing (South Australia), whose responsibilities include mental health –
Stephen Wade MLC
*
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing (Tasmania) –
Jeremy Rockliff
Jeremy Page Rockliff (born 5 February 1970) is an Australian politician who has been serving as the 47th Premier of Tasmania since April 2022, after the resignation of Peter Gutwein as Premier. He has been a Liberal Party of Australia (Tasmanian ...
MP
*
Minister for Mental Health (Victoria) –
James Merlino
James Anthony Merlino (born 19 August 1972) is an Australian retired politician who served as the member for Monbulk in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, as a member of the Labor Party. He served as Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister ...
MP
*
Minister for Mental Health (Western Australia)
Minister for Mental Health is a position in the government of Western Australia, currently held by Amber-Jade Sanderson of the Labor Party. The position was first created after the 2008 state election, for the government of Colin Barnett. The mi ...
–
Roger Cook MLA
Canada
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Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
The minister of mental health and addictions () is a minister of the Crown and a member of the Canadian Cabinet. The office is associated with the Department of Health.
Dr. Carolyn Bennett
Carolyn Ann Bennett (born December 20, 1950) is a C ...
–
Carolyn Bennett
Carolyn Ann Bennett (born December 20, 1950) is a Canadian physician and politician who has served as minister of mental health and addictions, and associate minister of health since October 26, 2021. A member of the Liberal Party, she has repre ...
MP
Ireland
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Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People –
Mary Butler TD
United Kingdom
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women's Health Strategy –
Maria Caulfield
Maria Colette Caulfield (born 6 August 1973) is a British politician and nurse serving as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women since October ...
MP
*
Minister for Mental Health (Scotland)
The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care is a member of the Scottish Government. The Minister reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, who has overall responsibility for the portfolio, and is a member of cabinet. As a ...
–
Clare Haughey MSP
References
See also
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Health minister A health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services.
Some governments have separate ministers for mental health.
Count ...
{{Types of government ministers and ministries
Health ministers
Mental health
Health-related lists