Australians to help shape Mental Health Reform

Australians with a lived experience of mental illness will have the opportunity to help shape national mental health reform by applying to become members of a new Consumer Reference Group. 

The newly established group will help set the directions of the National Mental Health Consumer Organisation – a new independent body that will provide the government with advice and direction in formulating mental health policy and programs.

The announcement of the group comes following the government’s new Mental Health Reform survey established to seek public opinion on its draft ten year mental health roadmap.

The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said that the group will play an integral role in advising on policy areas for the new organisation.

“It will lay the groundwork to enable our new mental health consumer body to hit the ground running and bring a strong and consolidated voice to mental health policy in Australia,” Butler said.

A series of advertisements appearing in newspapers across the country from today will encourage people with personal experience of mental health issues to apply.

Butler said: “I encourage people to apply who are committed to a shared vision for an Australia where people with mental health problems and mental illness are better able to participate and be supported in society without discrimination.”

The Consumer Reference Group will operate until the National Mental Health Consumer Organisation establishes a membership and elects a board.

Applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest until 20 February 2012. Information on how to apply is available at www.health.gov.au/mentalhealth

Read our coverage of the Federal Government’s Mental Health Reform here.