Recently, I was able to be part of a consultation on the future of the National Mental Health Commission, facilitated by Dr Sophie Davison, the new Commonwealth Chief Psychiatrist. This was accompanied by the release of a discussion paper about the same topic.
It follows a review of the Commission by Adjunct Professor Debora Picone, and a decision of the Minister for Health to move the Commission fully into the Department of Health and Aged Care, that was announced at the May Budget. That move has now occurred, with the Interim CEO reporting to a Deputy Secretary.
Discussions I have been having with sector colleagues since May have highlighted concerns about this move, and the potential for the Commission’s important role in mental health system performance monitoring and accountability will disappear. The worry has been that once subsumed in the Department it will never be heard of again.
It has been encouraging to hear the consistency of view that the Commission must remain viable, strong and independent. Flourish Australia joined with other members of the Australian Psychosocial Alliance recently to make a submission to the discussion paper, arguing that independence of the Commission was essential to its role and National mental health reform. True independence that allows for shining a light on all parts of the sector, and the ability to report and make comment without fear or favour.
There is so much happening in the mental health and psychosocial disability space currently and we need an independent body such as the Commission within government with the ability to take a whole of system view, to highlight where there gaps are and the issues to be addressed, to reflect back to the stakeholders, including the community, about whether we are protecting and promoting people’s human rights in mental health services.
Minister Butler established the Commission in 2012. It is fortunate that he now has the opportunity to develop it into the next phase, to ensure his vision of a Commission that monitors, assesses, oversees and reports on how the mental health system is performing and to provide cross-sectoral leadership in mental health, including for consumer and carer activities is realised, and to do so without delay.
I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter, especially Deborah and Tammy’s recovery stories. We are also very happy to provide a story about Her Excellency the Hon Sam Mostyn AC, the Governor-General’s visit to our program for Mum’s with mental health issues and their children this month. We are deeply grateful to Her Excellency and her team for making this possible.
Mark Orr AM
Chief Executive
