Coordinator-General for the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Elizabeth Moore says her office wants to hear from the community about their priorities for improving mental health and wellbeing.
“The Government is committed to providing a more integrated approach to mental health services that works with the community as a whole,” Dr Moore (pictured) said.
“As part of this commitment, the office is developing a new vision for mental health and wellbeing and we need the community’s help to better understand what people see as the priorities in this important area of our health care system.”
She said the feedback would be used by the office to create a meaningful work plan.
“All Canberrans are encouraged to participate,” Dr Moore said.
“However, we particularly want to hear from people who access mental health services, their families and carers, and members of the public with experience in the mental health sector.”
She said early engagement across the community sector had already identified mental health and wellbeing priority areas including an increased focus on prevention and early intervention; improved holistic outcomes for people with mental illness, and coordinated services that ‘wrapped’ around an individual, so that individuals did not need to have to navigate the system.
She said there had also been improved coordinated holistic approaches for vulnerable population groups; reduced suicide attempts and suicide deaths; ongoing appropriate consumer and carer engagement and participation; and increased capacity to grow, develop and sustain an effective mental health workforce, including peer workers.
“The feedback received through this consultation will help us ensure the priority areas that have been identified align with the wants and needs of the broader community,” Dr Moore said.
The first round of consultation is open until 7 March on the YourSay website where a feedback form can be found at this PS News link.
