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National Mental Health Commission Update
 
17 February 2022
 

Lived Experience contributions continue in 2022

As we transition back to our routines of working and learning in-person, we pause to recognise the outstanding efforts of our mental health and suicide prevention workforces. Thank you to all of you who have worked, and continue to work, tirelessly to support our communities and help keep individuals safe.

There is so much passion and enthusiasm within the mental health sector in Australia and 2022 is already living up to its expectation, providing opportunities to prioritise, plan, and implement significant changes through mental health reform.

The Commission has several significant projects in progress, including the Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy, the National Workplace Initiative, and the establishment of the National Suicide Prevention Office, as well as a range of new projects that I look forward to sharing with you over the coming months.

The voices of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health continue to be at the forefront of all Commission projects. This year, the Commission will be seeking to hear directly from people with lived experience through both in-person and online contributions. In the second half of 2022 we are hoping to safely visit 30 communities across the nation to directly hear the personal experiences of access to the mental health and suicide prevention systems on the ground. We will also be conducting a national survey to gather insights and evidence to inform our work. If you, or someone you know, would like to add your voice to the diversity of experiences shared with the Commission, please register through our Have Your Say platform and help to shape Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention reform priorities

The team at the Commission is looking forward to working closely with you and the organisations that you represent throughout 2022. We continue to dedicate ourselves to ensuring all Australians are enabled to lead fulfilling lives in thriving communities and we thank you for helping us work towards this goal.

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Appointment of Director, Lived Experience

In November, the Commission welcomed Carrie Lumby to our team as the inaugural Director, Lived Experience. This senior role was created to inform and shape the agenda of work undertaken by the Commission to achieve an Australia where all people have the opportunity lead a full and contributing life.

Carrie’s previous community advocacy work focused on promoting and supporting active partnership with people with lived experience in a range of regional, state and national mental health and suicide prevention reform initiatives. She has extensive experience facilitating collaborative system change processes utilising co-design and co-production methods, as well as in the development of innovative alternative models of care, including peer-led safe spaces for people experiencing suicidal crisis and social prescribing as an approach to reducing social isolation and loneliness.

The engagement of lived experience is a central tenet of all aspects of the work at the Commission and this appointment will enhance our ability to drive transformational change across the mental health and suicide prevention service systems.


Please join us in welcoming Carrie.

   
 
 
 
     

Launch of the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience of Suicide Informed & Inclusive Culture Change – suite of resources

On Monday, 21 February, Roses in the Ocean will launch their Lived Experience of Suicide Informed and Inclusive Culture Change suite of resources.

The resources are designed to support service providers, organisations and government to engage, integrate and partner with people with lived experience of suicide to help achieve a whole of community, whole of governments, lived experience informed approach to suicide prevention.

These guides build on the tireless efforts of all who have advocated to ensure the voices, expertise and experiences of people whose lives have been touched by suicide are central to reform and the delivery of a compassionate, person-centred suicide prevention system.

To hear more about the resources, click ‘register now’ to register to attend the webinar launch on Monday 21 February, 1:00pm-2:00pm AEDT

  Register now  
 
 
 
     

Child wellbeing and COVID national survey

The National Mental Health Commission and the Human Rights Commission are collaborating to hear directly from children and parents to understand what could be improved to more effectively support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people through the COVID pandemic. 

With funding from the National Mental Health Commission,the National Human Rights Commission has launched two surveys to better understand the social, emotional, educational, and other impacts experienced by children aged 9 to 17 and their parents overthe past two years’.

The 10 minute survey will help inform the support services children and their families need as Australia continues to deal with the pandemic, and as we emerge from it.

  Learn more and complete the survey here  
 
 
 
     

Paid Lived Experience facilitators opportunity

BEING - Mental Health Consumers is currently seeking experienced Peer Group Facilitators for their upcoming series of online Suicide Peer Support Groups. This role is to guide group discussions around suicidal experiences and other forms of emotional distress, while creating a safe and supportive environment for like-minded peers. 

This is an opportunity for people with lived and living experience to utilise their skills and expertise to support and inspire others towards recovery and hope through the power of peer support.

For more information on the role head to Being’s website.

  For more information  
 
 
 
     

10th IASP Asia Pacific Conference

The Commission is proud to support 80 people with lived experience of suicide to attend the 10th International Association for Suicide Prevention, Asia Pacific Conference in Gold Coast May 2022. This is helping ensure that the lived experience attendees have a broad range of experiences and backgrounds. The conference aims to gather regional perspectives and insights on responses to COVID-19, and other issues within this programme.

Lived experience and living experience is central to best practice in suicide prevention and is a key recommendation in Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Final Advice report. Broadening the national suicide prevention approach must be informed by what people experiencing suicidal distress really need. Lived experience voices are crucial to guiding a genuine shift in our response to mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention reform. 

The conference program continues to unfold and early bird registrations are now open. For more information, visit the conference webpage.

  More information  
 
 
 
     

Stigma Strategy Workshop Update

Last year we held a series of workshops to explore innovative approaches to reduce stigma and discrimination for the National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy. Thank you to those who attended our workshops, particularly those with lived experience of mental ill-health, trauma and distress, families, friends, unpaid carers and support people. Find out what we heard in these workshops through the summaries now available via our have your say platform.

  Read the summaries  
  Stigma Strategy Workshop Update
 
 
     

External Consultations

The Commission regularly connects with Australian organisations with expertise to conduct research and develop reports that increase our understanding of the experience of people in Australia. The development of many of these projects include consultations with people with lived experience and knowledge of the sector. 

If you are interested in knowing what consultations are currently open, have a look at our Have Your Say platform to get involved: 

  Get involved  
 
 
 
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