Our structure
The Mental Health Commission is a government department that reports to the Minister for Mental Health.
It is led by a Commissioner, supported by the following Divisions:
- Office of the Commissioner
- System Development
- Commissioning and Programs
- Governance and Corporate Services
The Commission also provides support to three independent bodies, the Mental Health Advocacy Service, the Mental Health Tribunal and the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist. They operate independently but are provided with corporate services support by the Commission.
Senior Executive Group (SEG)
Mental Health Commissioner
Maureen Lewis
MCN, MAICD
Maureen Lewis is an experienced senior executive and accomplished leader, with a proven track record in driving strategy and reform within the mental health sector.
Maureen has an extensive background working in mental health and drug and alcohol across mental health commissions, clinical services, policy, reform, strategy, planning and regulatory functions. She has experience leading and driving strategy and reform in complex service delivery environments in Western Australia, New South Wales and across the Commonwealth.
Throughout Maureen’s career, she has worked in significant leadership making a difference to the lives of many, some of whom are the most vulnerable people in our community to empower individuals and families to lead fulfilling lives. Maureen is uniquely placed to lead the necessary reforms of Western Australia’s mental health, alcohol and other drug systems, informed by her grassroots clinical experience and intimate understanding of the community we serve and extensive leadership experience across Australia.
Find out more about our Mental Health Commissioner.
Deputy Commissioner Commissioning and Programs
Monica Taylor
BSc(N), MHlthAgedServMgt, MAICD, AFCHSM, AFAIM WA
Monica Taylor is The Deputy Commissioner Commissioning and Programs at the Commission, having previously held the inaugural role of Executive Director Mental Health Nursing where she focused on our workforce to lead the development of the WA MH Nurse Capability Framework. As Deputy Commissioner Commissioning and Programs, Monica oversees our Treatment Services, Prevention, Community Support and Strategic Management teams.
Monica is an experienced executive, who has held a variety of leadership roles over the past 15 years, and has been a Mental Health Nurse for over 30 years. She has a history of working in the hospital and health care industry within the WA health sector and is skilled in health care management, organisational development and patient safety. Monica brings a skill set in clinical governance and has applied this as an Australian Council of HealthCare Standards assessor for over 10 years.
Deputy Commissioner System Development
Julia Knapton
BPE, DipEd, DipHProm, GCertPSM, MPH, GAICD
Julia Knapton joined the Commission in July 2023 and in the four years prior, she held the position of Executive Director Healthway, leading its strategic grant making related to health promotion projects, partnerships and research.
Julia has a long history working within the mental health and alcohol and other drug sectors and has previously worked at the Commission as Director Planning, Policy and Strategy and acting Assistant Commissioner between 2015 and 2019. During this time, she was responsible for mental health, alcohol and other drug strategy and services development, legislative services as well as consumer engagement.
As Deputy Commissioner of System Development, Julia oversees the Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs and the Commission’s system-wide policy and strategy including legislation, intergovernmental relations and governance, stakeholder engagement, and performance, monitoring and evaluation.
With more than 30 years’ experience in health and education, Julia is passionate about ensuring people are placed at the centre of planning reform to ultimately improve outcomes for individuals and communities in WA.
Executive Director Governance and Corporate Services
Matthew Richardson
BA (HONS), PgDipPubPol, ASA
Matthew joined the Commission in June 2024, having previously worked in Senior Executive and leadership roles across multiple State Government agencies, including the Departments of Communities; Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Treasury; and the Premier and Cabinet.
Through a variety of policy, analysis, and finance and corporate roles, Matthew’s career focus has been on systemic reform and continuous improvement, seeking to drive better outcomes and more efficient processes for the delivery of services to West Australians, primarily in health and social services portfolios. While at the Treasury and as the Finance and Business Services Director for the Disability Services Commission, Matthew played key roles in the initial design and implementation of, and the intergovernmental negotiations for, the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Matthew is also a Non-Executive Director on the Board of a Not-for-Profit therapy provider and an Associate member of CPA Australia.