Anti-discrimination activity relevant to people with experience of mental illness is taking place across a wide range of government and non-government sectors, including those that deal with mental health, public health, disability issues and human rights.

An interagency plan is in development, with the aim to better coordinate anti-discrimination work that is being done in a range of sectors. Led by the Mental Health Commission in conjunction with Like Minds and with the support of the Human Rights Commission and the Office for Disability Issues, the plan is the first step in a coordinated cross-sector approach, working towards the goal of eliminating discrimination against people with experience of mental illness.

The agencies standing behind the plan are leaders in their sectors. The Mental Health Commission takes a leading role in anti-discrimination work in the mental health sector; the Human Rights Commission leads human rights activities; and the Office for Disability Issues leads disability sector anti-discrimination activity.

The first steps in establishing this cross-sector approach will come together in a national anti-discrimination plan, due for release later in 2005.