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Lived experience of mental ill-health and carers recognised in historic commitment
Two new national peak bodies announced.
Date published:
The National Mental Health Commission has today welcomed the historic announcement by the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention the Hon Emma McBride MP of $7.5 million to establish and operate two new independent national mental health lived experience peak bodies.
The first new peak body will work to ensure the voice, experience and expertise of those who live with mental ill-health (consumers) is front and centre in all Government decision making regarding systemic mental health and suicide prevention reform. The second will provide a voice for those carers, family and kin who support people with a lived and living experience.
“These new peaks will be critical for enabling lived experience leadership, insights and knowledge to inform mental health reform and system improvements – a central factor in achieving quality, recovery-focused systems and services,” Commission CEO Ms Christine Morgan said.
“Individual lived and living mental health experiences are rich and complex, and people are experts by their experiences. It is only through genuine partnerships with lived expertise, and with those who love and care for them, that transformational change can be achieved.
“I want to take this moment to not only welcome this funding, but to acknowledge and thank the tireless efforts of those who have strived for this outcome, for some, over many decades. I’m so pleased that these efforts and foundational work have finally been rewarded.
“Attempts to develop national peak bodies have a long history grounded in the tireless advocacy efforts of mental health consumers, and their carers, family, and kin. We recognise the substantial work already done to lay the foundation for the establishment of these national peaks.
“This is their success, but it is also incredibly good news for the entire country.”
The Commission looks forward to working with the Government, and with those who the new bodies will represent, to ensure a genuine partnership and co-design process regarding the governance and operational establishment of the new bodies.
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.
