CEO Update: We have 190 days to define a vision and plan for a cohesive national mental health system
We have 190 days to define a vision and plan for a cohesive national mental health system
The Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health will hand down its Final Report on 23 May 2020, and at this draft stage the message we are hearing from both the PC, and Government, is that we - the sector - can still help shape and influence the Final Report. And we must.
We have to if this report is to provide the systemic national reform and vision we so desperately need. The once in a generation opportunity we’ve all been talking about.
Yes, the Productivity Commission’s Draft Report provides a valuable, up to date statement on the significant economic costs of mental illness. It properly places the experience of mental illness in a broader social context and we commend the PC for reviewing impacts of social determinants of mental health including housing, justice, education and employment. We also commend them for grappling with details of governance and accountability.
Yes, they rightly acknowledge in the Draft Report the lack of a national vision for mental health and further acknowledge we do not have the governance structures necessary to support national collaboration in this area.
And yes as an experienced sector, with decades of evidence, we know the key to change is sustained and supported implementation. We understand how little benefit comes from just applying more band-aid solutions. We know we need a vision and plan for a better national mental health system and real reform.
The Productivity Commission has well understood the complex barriers to reform, but the narrative and recommendations as they currently stand do not offer enough to provide the breadth of change needed.
It is not enough to simply do what we are doing now, but better. We need systemic reform that articulates and implements a vision of a cohesive mental health system, driving towards recovery and participation.
In the lead up to developing Charter 2020, and the nine principles with which we started to dissect the Draft Report through our Preliminary Analysis, we often said that 90% of the sector would agree with around 90% of what was in the report. But let’s be honest, at this draft stage that number is much lower. This is less about what is in the report and more about what is out of it and we need to do better or we fail the generations to come.
At this stage of the process, exactly 190 days until the Final Report is presented to Government, the grand vision for systemic mental health reform we were all hoping for is not yet clear.
So what do we do next? Having spoken with Commissioner Stephen King and the Minister’s office this week about our concerns, we know the public hearings starting today in Canberra (and concluding in Launceston on 9 December) are vital to helping improve this report. Our team appeared at the Canberra hearing this morning and presented much of what I have said here.
As a sector, we need to shape and influence this report into something that more strongly hits the mark of reform, something that creates a vision we can all support, and something that Government can action. A report that provides the sector, and Government, with granular solutions and actions.
A report we can all look back on as a line in the sand for real change, and real reform.
So in short, we encourage as many members and stakeholders as possible to use these public hearings to our advantage.
Voice your concerns for the areas that have been missed in the Draft Report. Voice your praise for the recommendations we can start on right away, and most importantly use your voice to help ensure we are left with a vision and plan for a cohesive national mental health system into the future.
Kind regards,
Melanie Cantwell
Acting CEO
Make a submission to the Productivity Commission now
The Productivity Commission invites interested people and organisations to make a written submission. If you have something brief to say - you may want to make a comment rather than producing a submission. Comments may be used by the Commission to inform its final report. An issues paper was produced to assist participants in preparing a submission to the public inquiry. It outlined a range of issues about which the Commission sought information.
Opportunity for further comment is now sought on the Draft Report. Submissions are due by Thursday 23 January 2020.
Productivity Commission hearings
The Productivity Commission will seek further information and feedback following the release of the draft report on 31 October 2019. The Productivity Commission is advising they will hold public hearings on the following:
- 18-19 November - Melbourne
- 20 November - Geraldton
- 21 November - Perth
- 25-26 November - Sydney
- 28 November - Broken Hill
- 2 December - Rockhampton
- 3 December - Brisbane
- 9 December - Launceston
Adelaide and Darwin public hearings will be held at dates to be advised in early 2020. Please note registrations to attend or participate in the hearings is not open yet.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019
The Notice of Annual General Meeting has already gone out to Voting Members. A general meeting of Mental Health Australia Ltd will be held at the National Press Club of Australia, National Circuit, Barton, ACT on Monday 25 November 2019 at 5.30pm. Members should arrive at 5:15pm for registration.
Join the team: Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Australia
Mental Health Australia has begun recruiting for our new Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer provides strategic leadership to promote and meet Mental Health Australia’s aims and objectives and to represent the interests of our members. It is a highly influential role which works closely with stakeholders to advocate for and grow the long-term investment in mental health funding. Engaging with members, consumers and carers and other stakeholders, you will lead the work to advocate for a better mental health system, through improved systems design and interface.
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