A new Council is to be established under the Mental Health Commission to strengthen collaboration between the community services sector, Government and consumers, carers and families.
Announcing the move, the Commission said the new Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Council would contribute to the reform of the Western Australian mental health, alcohol and other drug system by providing high-level leadership.
It said the topics it would cover include the development of more person-centred care across services; co-occurring mental health, alcohol and other drug issues; and the integration of the sector.
“It will ensure lived experience is central to policy development and service delivery and will be chaired by the Mental Health Commissioner,” the Commission said.
Minister for Mental Health, Roger Cook said membership of the Council would include representation from community services peak bodies, major strategic advisory groups and the Primary Health Alliance, as well as consumers and carers/families.
“The new Council will complement the work of the Mental Health Executive Committee, announced in March, which will bring together mental health leadership from across the public hospital system,” Mr Cook said.
He said expressions of interest would be sought for the positions of consumer representative and carer/family representative.
“This is part of a new governance structure for Western Australia in mental health, alcohol and other drugs, bringing the sector together and providing the capability for a unified approach to change,” Mr Cook said.
“Ensuring lived experience is at the forefront of the reform is a key focus for the Government and this new Council will drive that forward,” he said.
