disability

In this joint submission, the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum and the MHCA discuss human rights and equal recognition before the law for people with mental illness and psychosocial disability. The submission makes a series of recommendations about nationally consistent approaches to legal capacity, supported decision-making, advance care planning, mental health legislation and restrictive practices.

The central principles of the National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) of consumer choice and control go to the heart of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry into equality before the law of people with disability. In this submission, the MHCA outlines concerns around equal recognition for people with psychosocial disability through the NDIS , including in relation to scheme design, service quality and safeguards, and supported decision-making.

The MHCA is committed to the development of program funding for people with a disability and considers the Regulation Impact Statement a key document in the development of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. However, this needs to be made accessible to a wide audience for consideration and needs to consider disability services for people with psychosocial disability related to mental illness.

In December 2012 the Department of Employment Education and Workplace Relations ( DEEWR ) sought input on their discussion paper “Improving the employment participation of people with a disability in Australia”. The MHCA made this submission on the discussion paper.

During December 2012 the Bill to establish the National Disability Insurance Scheme Launch Transition Agency was tabled in Parliament. Public comment was sought by the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee and the MHCA made this submission with input from its NDIS Special Interest Advisory Group.

In this submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( ACCC ) regarding private health insurance, the MHCA has highlighted a number of issues that have the potential to disadvantage mental health consumers, carers and allied health professionals.

The second consultation draft has significantly clarified the framework’s purpose and provides greater clarity around recovery models and the translation of recovery principles into action by mental health services.

The MHCA and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) brought together employment services and Personal Helpers and Mentors ( PH aMS) service providers from across Australia to discuss the development of a new PH aMs employment stream announced as part of the 2011-12 Mental Health Budget Reform.

Powerpoint presentation delivered by Ms Sally Sinclair, CEO , National Employment Services Association as part of the May 2012 PH aMs Employment and Mental Health Consultation Workshop.

Powerpoint presentation delivered by Ms Dorothy Belperio, General Manager SA , Mind Australia as part of the May 2012 PH aMs Employment and Mental Health Consultation Workshop.