David McGrath

Chief Executive Officer

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On 29 January 2025, the National Mental Health Commission was pleased to welcome David Mcgarth into the role of Chief Executive Officer.  

David brings with him exceptional knowledge from a long-standing career in both the private and public mental health sector. With extensive experience as a Board Director for the Black Dog Institute, a Senior Executive in NSW Health and formerly chairing the National Mental Health Standing Committee, David now leads the Commission’s work to monitor, evaluate and improve Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention system. Additionally, David is a highly experienced public policy consultant who has been an advisor to the World Health Organisation for over a decade. 

With a passion for mental health, David believes “mental ill health touches every Australian. It’s a national issue that demands action from every level of government”. 

David currently resides in Sydney/Warrane country of the Gadigal people, with his beautiful family and two children. In his spare time, you can catch him playing soccer or debating that it’s in fact called football.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Commission acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands throughout Australia.
We pay our respects to their clans, and to the elders, past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community.

Diversity

The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Lived Experience

We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.