New governance committees get to work

Yesterday, Acting Mental Health Commissioner, Jen McGrath, chaired the inaugural meeting of the the new Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Council (CMC), with leaders from the community services sector and representatives of consumers and families/carers attending. The CMC is tasked with ensuring that lived experience is central to policy development and service delivery across the mental health and AOD system.

Last week the inaugural Mental Health Executive Committee (MHEC) meeting was also held, with chief executives from across the public health system in attendance, together with Chief Medical Officer Mental Health Dr Sophie Davison.

The Hon. Roger Cook, Minister for Mental Health, attended both meetings and stressed the role of the committees to advocate on behalf of consumers and carers so that their lived experience voices are heard. He also identified young people as being a priority cohort, consistent with his recent request for an independent review into mental health services for children and adolescents. The Commission has commenced work on a Young People Priority Framework which will analyse current mental health and AOD services for young people aged 12-24, identify gaps, and make recommendations to improve outcomes for young people.

Stay tuned for updates on content discussed at both the MHEC and CMC, which will be uploaded on our website.