Assistant Commissioners
Following the Independent Review of WA Health System Governance (Independent Governance Review) under the Health Services Act 2016, the State Government announced a package of reforms to strengthen leadership, accountability and coordination of the mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems.
As part of this package, the State Government committed to engage Lived Experience, Aboriginal Affairs and Alcohol and Other Drugs leaders to work with the Mental Health Commission (Commission) by providing strategic and expert advice to inform system-wide reform. As a result, the Commission has appointed four Assistant Commissioners in the following areas of expertise and representation:
- Aboriginal Affairs
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Lived Experience (Consumer)
- Lived Experience (Significant Other)
Assistant Commissioner Aboriginal Affairs, Mr James Christian PSM MPA
James Christian PSM is a Wiradjuri person from Central Western NSW. James has held senior executive positions in government and national not-for-profit organisations. He has been responsible for national and state-based policies and programs in the areas of Aboriginal Affairs and social and human services sectors.
Assistant Commissioner for Alcohol and Other Drugs, Dr Stephen Bright BA (Psych) Hons, PhD (Clin Psych)
Dr Stephen Bright has significant alcohol and other drugs research experience and understands contemporary and emerging policy issues. He has previously held senior clinical and managerial positions at publicly funded health services and is often called on to provide expert testimony at high-level inquiries.
Assistant Commissioner Lived Experience (Consumer), Ms Patricia Tran
Patricia Tran has significant experience providing peer work, peer supervision and suicide training across the sector through a wide range of providers, including Consumers of Mental Health WA, the WA Recovery College, the Family Inclusion Network WA and Shelter WA. She is a sessional lecturer and research assistant with Curtin University, is well connected in the sector and brings a wealth of experience. In 2023, Patricia and her team at Curtin University received the Silver Category award at the International QS Reimagine Education Awards for ‘Nurturing Wellbeing and Purpose’ for creating an innovative program supporting student wellbeing. Patricia has also co-authored a number of academic articles championing Lived Experience knowledge, values and practice.
Assistant Commissioner Lived Experience (Significant Other) Ms Wendy Cream FDRP, GradD Couns
Wendy Cream has a Family Lived Experience of mental health, alcohol and other drug issues and justice involvement. She has worked in a range of designated Lived Experience roles, including being the designated and sole Family/Carer member on the Ministerial Taskforce into Public Mental Health Services for Infants, Children and Adolescents aged 0 to 18 years in WA. Wendy has more than 30 years’ experience working in government and non-government roles with vulnerable communities in rural, remote and metropolitan areas.
Last updated: 10 January 2025