Contributing Lives, Thriving Communities

In doing this, the Commission has taken a recovery perspective to its work – which reflects that a recovery journey of a person living with a mental health difficulty aims to achieve as fulfilling a life as possible, which is unique to each person. This is a wide angle view beyond mental health to see the context of people’s living experiences and their hopes for leading a full and contributing life.

A Contributing Life is where people living with a mental health difficulty can expect the same rights, opportunities and health as those without a mental illness. Simply put, this is about having a good home, meaningful activity, valued friendships, proper health care and opportunities for education and training, all without experiencing discrimination due to having a mental health difficulty.

The Contributing Life framework is – whole‐of‐person, whole‐of‐system, whole‐of‐life approach to mental health and wellbeing. This means we consider people across the lifespan – from pre‐birth to old age.

A contributing life can mean many things. It can mean a fulfilling life enriched with close connections to family and friends; good health and wellbeing to allow those connections to be enjoyed; having something to do each day that provides meaning and purpose – whether it be a job, supporting others or volunteering; and a home to live in, free from financial stress and uncertainty. In short, it means thriving, not just surviving.

The Commission will work to support individuals to: live a contributing life; have equitable opportunity; have the best possible mental health and wellbeing; participate in community, education and employment; have knowledge, assurance and respect; and be able to contribute to socially and economically thriving communities.