Submission
1 May 2010
The MHCA and beyondblue call on the Australian Government to end the unfair treatment of people with a mental illness by insurers. What is sought in this submission is a more reasonable assessment of the risks associated with mental illness, a greater understanding of mental illness from the insurance sector and greater respect for mental health consumers.
Submission
1 May 2010
The MHCA welcomes those budget initiatives announced in the COAG National Health and Hospitals Network report. However, for the mental health sector these constitute vague in-principle support and incremental increases in just a few areas of urgent unmet need.
Submission
1 April 2010
The MHCA urges this Inquiry to consider the health needs and circumstances of mental health consumers and carers to ensure safety and equity of access to medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Submission
1 April 2010
The MHCA believes the needs of mental health consumers must be a significant component of the National Quality Framework to support quality services for people experiencing homelessness, given the significant link between mental illness and homelessness.
Submission
1 March 2010
In this joint submission, the MHCA and the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum highlight the importance of implementation planning, leadership, collaboration, partnerships, clear guidelines and policies and realistic funding for the establishment of the new national mental health consumer organisation.
Submission
1 March 2010
The MHCA and the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum applaud the Mental Health Standing Committee for its recognition of the role of recovery as critical to the implementation of better mental health services. However, both organisations are disappointed that while the principles provide a general overview of recovery it is clear that neither the principles nor the suggested standard reflect broad consultation with consumers and carers about what recovery might mean in the context of delivery of mental health services in Australia.
Submission
1 December 2009
MHCA identifies three key areas where governments should take decisive action to reduce suicide and suicide attempts in Australia. These are a new model of community mental health care and support; a new commitment to accountability and research; and specific and appropriate targeting of at-risk groups.
Submission
1 November 2009
This submission has been prepared by a group of leading national organisations involved in every aspect of suicide prevention. It represents a comprehensive analysis of the issues set out in the Inquiry’s terms of reference and presents practical ways to reduce the terrible toll on the Australian community from suicide and suicidal behaviour.
Submission
1 October 2009
The MHCA discusses how agencies such as Centrelink, DEEWR and Job Services Australia work with mental health consumers and carers and highlight the need for further advocacy and support mechanisms if needs are to be met by such agencies.