The Albanese Government is establishing two new independent peak bodies to represent people with lived experience of mental ill-health.
The new peak bodies will work closely with the Government to ensure people with lived experience are included in decision making at the national level.
Two organisations were selected after a competitive grants round:
- The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance will establish the new National Mental Health Consumer Peak Body
- Mental Health Carers Australia will establish the new National Mental Health Carers, Family and Kin Peak Body.
Once established, the peak bodies will work closely with people with lived experience, the wider sector and government, to improve mental health outcomes for all Australians.
The Government has allocated $7.5 million over three years for establishment and early operation of the two peak bodies.
Creation of lived experience peak bodies addresses recommendations made in major inquiries, including the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Mental Health.
The role and function of the new bodies will draw on a comprehensive co-design process, including nearly 250 public submissions.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Hearing from those with lived experience is incredibly important to making improvements in mental health. Progress will come from putting consumers and carers first.
“These two independent national bodies will amplify the voices of consumers and carers to drive equitable reform in mental health.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:
“I’m delighted with the two organisations selected, led by people with lived experience, to establish the new peak bodies.
“The result will embed lived experience leadership and perspectives throughout the mental health system.”
Quotes attributable to Priscilla Brice, Chairperson, National Mental Health Consumer Alliance:
“The mental health consumer movement in Australia has been waiting for over a decade for this decision, and we are deeply grateful to all the advocates who have worked extremely hard to lay the foundation for a national peak body,
“The Alliance will be involving consumers from across the country in its policy committee. This will ensure that national mental health policies are informed by lived experience from a range of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees and multicultural communities, and rural and remote consumers.”
Quotes attributable to Jeremy Coggin, President, Mental Health Carers Australia:
“Families, carers, and kin will take great heart from this announcement as so many people across Australia are struggling with their mental health.
“We thank the Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, the Hon Emma McBride MP for their ongoing support of the voice of families and carers being at the centre of system reform”.
