Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop

Mental Health Australia hosts an Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop for members of the National Register and National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum (NMHCCF) members.

These two-day workshops aim to further develop the representative skills of mental health consumers and carers already participating in national policy initiatives. In particular, the workshops are designed to develop representatives’ advocacy, policy development and leadership skills. They also provide an opportunity to discuss national issues important to mental health consumers and carers, as well as network and share representative experiences.

In 2022 we were pleased to be able to meet in person again. The 2022 Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop was held in Melbourne on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 May 2022 and was attended by 61 mental health consumer and carer representatives. This year’s workshop was conducted as a hybrid event, 52 people attended in person and 9 people joined the workshop via zoom.

The theme “Building Courage, Strength and Resilience to Promote Change” provided a thought-provoking program and opportunities to advance participants voices as consumers and carers.

An evaluation survey was sent to all participants following the workshop. These responses have helped gauge the level of participant satisfaction with each webinar and workshop session as well as participants’ reflections and insights.

The report provides highlights from the 2022 workshop. They provide a summary of the key themes and outcomes raised by mental health consumers and carers during the workshop sessions or through the subsequent evaluation survey.