National Register - ACT Representative Profiles

Judy Bentley, Carer Representative

As carer for a close family member since 2001, my membership of the National Register since 2007 has been vitally important, with opportunities to share support with National consumers and carers and participate in National Committee representation. 

I was ACT Carer representative on NMHCCF from 2005-12 and returned to the Forum in June 2019 as carer representative for Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network.  I am ACT co-ordinator of PMHCCN and Board Member.

I am Carer Member of the Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission Advisory Panel, tasked by the Minister for Health to provide strategic advice on the allocation of Medical Research Future Funds to targeted mental health research.

I represent carers on Department of Health’s National Assessment, Triage and Referral Project, developing national guidance material and resources to support Primary Health Networks to implement assessment, triage and referral systems for individuals presenting for mental health services.  

ACT representation includes: Mental Health Minister’s Advisory Council; Richmond Fellowship Board; Collaborative Engagement Forum of Adult Mental Health Unit; Capital Health Network’s Partners in Recovery Consortium; lecturer final-year Australian National University medical student Academic units Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine.  Active participant and member ACT community sector mental health support organisations.

Matthew Martin, Consumer Representative

I have been a consumer representative with the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network for over five years. I came to the Network following a psychotic episode which found me incarcerated where upon I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. Since that time I have been heavily involved with the mental health community engaging in systemic advocacy for appropriate mental health, vocational, housing and employment services throughout the ACT. Prior to my psychotic episode I was a teacher. Following my episode, I experienced stigma both personally and throughout the community as I looked to regain employment in this area. The barriers I faced encouraged me to engage in new areas of study.

Since my psychotic episode I have retrained myself in the areas of accounting, commerce and law to assist to further navigate the mental health sector and advocate for others to receive timely and appropriate treatment, care and support for their needs. I look forward to engagement with other mental health consumer representatives from around the nation who have a vision to assist others with mental health needs.

Ãine Tierney, Carer Representative

I have a personal lived experience of mental illness as both a Carer and Consumer and have been active in the mental health sector since 1995.  

I have a background in performance arts, hospitality and events management. I’ve used my extensive experience to organise concerts, mental health week activities, promotional and awareness raising events for both mainstream and multicultural mental health sectors in the ACT.

I’m Executive Producer of Transforming Perceptions, a weekly radio show on 2XX Community Radio since September 2010.  The show presents diverse perspectives on mental health and well-being, provides information on resources that are available for people of multicultural backgrounds.  I’m a published poet.  I’ve edited and compiled two books of poetry contributions by Carers and Consumers, written articles on mental health for the Canberra Times, the former MMHA’s Synergy Magazine and FECCA Mosaic.

I’m passionate about human rights, equity and equality for all Australians and breaking down barriers to improve access to mental health care for CaLD and other marginalised communities.  I’m keen to find new pathways to connect with sector members and community stakeholders, and to increase CaLD, ATSI and other mental health consumer and carer representation in state and national mental health forums.  

Terri Warner, Consumer Representative

My professional background is in quality management systems auditing and the development and implementation of professional standards. I have worked in health administration as well as in mental health and disability education and advocacy. I was the Chair of the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network from 2015-2019. I have a degree in psychology and am currently studying a Master of Culture, Health and Medicine at the ANU, with a focus on health policy and systemic reform.

I have personal experience of both public and private community and inpatient mental health services in both the ACT and Victoria. I believe that lived experience is the expertise that is needed to develop and deliver policies, programs and services that actually work, both for the people who use and who work in mental health services.