Up to us to make this inquiry worthwhile

Yesterday we held the first meeting of our Productivity Commission Mental Health Policy Network. With some 40 people in attendance, the support for this network is clear, and the considered contributions from Members showed the sector’s passion to make use of the opportunity that the Productivity Commission’s review into mental health provides. 

Two Assistant Commissioners of the Productivity Commission joined in yesterday's discussion. This sends a strong message about the Commission’s commitment to ensuring this inquiry results in tangible reform which will improve the mental health of all Australians.

Rosalyn Bell, Assistant Commissioner, emphasized the Commission’s willingness to consider case studies and the personal stories of those with lived experience as part of the review. To that end, I strongly urge anyone - with good or bad experiences of the mental health system - to visit the Commission’s website and submit a comment via the online facility.

The Commission is keen to hear expert views from within the mental health community on what works and why, what should be scaled up, and about de-funded programs that ought to be reinstated. Of course, views that can be illustrated by data will have the strongest impact.

At yesterday’s teleconference, the group discussed the comprehensive nature of the terms of reference, and welcomed the broad approach taken in the Issues Paper. This led to a discussion about the importance of sequencing issues for consideration as a part of the inquiry, and prioritizing recommendations for implementation following the review. 

It seems self-evident to suggest that the higher the level of agreement among stakeholders about the way forward, the greater the chance the Commission will land on a plan for reform that will make a real difference. 

Moving forward, questions for the Network will be:

1. How do we embed co-design and co-production?
2. What are our shared priorities for implementation?
3. What overarching governance and finance arrangements will ensure success?
4. How do we address social determinants of health like: physical health; housing and homelessness; income support; social services; social participation and inclusion; justice; family and child wellbeing and safety; education and training; employment; climate and environment; and mentally healthy workplaces?

We have seen reviews come and go, more often disappointed than satisfied.

It is encouraging to think that a shared approach to these challenges from those most effected, might be what makes this inquiry different.

Warm regards,

Frank Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer

Established in 1987, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) is Queensland’s premier mental health research facility. Based at The Park Centre for Mental Health at Wacol, QCMHR is hosted by the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service and has close links with The University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute and School of Public Health, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners. The work conducted at QCMHR aims to reduce the level of disability associated with mental illness. This is achieved by providing internationally recognised research that leads to more effective mental health services and interventions, the identification and reduction of risk factors, and the development of researchers in the field of mental health.
 

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