Public Comment on Australia’s First Mental Health Report Card
3 May 2012 at 11:37 am
Australians can have their say on the nation’s first Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, through a new online survey.
The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said the Report Card marks a new chapter for mental health in Australia.
“The Report Card will be published annually and will be focused squarely on the perspective of people living with mental illness, their families and their carers,” Butler said.
“This consultation process will help create the best possible product that can effectively deliver the information Australians need and want about their mental health system.”
The release of the online survey follows a series of four Roundtable discussions, with over 140 prominent Australians from across the mental health and related sectors, which were held in Sydney last week.
The Roundtables were conducted by the National Mental Health Commission and focussed on four key themes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing, The Mental Health Frontline and First Responders, Mental Health Reform and the Big Picture and Whole of Life.
Chair of the National Mental Health Commission, Professor Allan Fels, says the Commission is committed to consulting and working with the community to make sure the Report Card is a useful and constructive document.
One immediate outcome of the Roundtables was a commitment by the Chair to support a youth-specific Roundtable to consult on the Report Card.
“We are producing this Report Card for all Australians,” Professor Fels said.
“That’s why we are consulting people with lived experience of mental health issues, their carers, families, and those who work and provide services in the sector. They will all bring their experiences to the development process and play a significant role in designing and informing the final product.”
The roundtables and online survey build on consultation already underway through the Mental Health Council of Australia and a Project Reference Group.
The Commission will continue to consult with stakeholders and members of the community at each Commission meeting. Dates and locations of future meetings are listed on the Commission's website at www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/meetings
The next meeting is scheduled for 8-9 May in Brisbane.
To contribute to the survey and learn more about the Report Card, go to www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au. The survey is open until 31 May 2012.
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