Page 1554 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 8 May 2018
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important matters relating to mental health in the ACT which the government is committed to addressing.
Firstly, I wish to outline how we are progressing with the establishment of the office for mental health and wellbeing and to inform the Assembly and the Canberra community about its proposed model and functions. As members may be aware, we undertook two rounds of consultations with the community, mental health consumers and carers, mental health organisations, peak bodies and current and ex-commissioners of other mental health commissions. These consultations informed the final report and its recommendations for the design of the office for mental health and wellbeing.
As the Minister for Mental Health, I am pleased with the quality and content of the report. I believe it is reflective of the commitment the government has made to address issues concerning mental health across the ACT community. I also believe that the process we have gone through to carefully gather the views of people with expertise and lived experience has been very important in shaping the proposed model.
The government is currently considering the recommendations and how best to implement them. I hope to be in a position to publicly release the report soon, once that process has concluded. However, at this stage I can advise of some of the high-level recommendations that will inform the model for the office. In line with the recommendations from the report, I would like to see the office for mental health and wellbeing operate as a change agent for mental health reform across the ACT.
I am pursuing a model for the office which will develop and maintain a territory-wide approach to mental health; coordinate mental health policies, strategies and funding in the territory; provide a focus on systemic reform and improvement across the continuum of mental health care, including physical health, drugs and alcohol and the social determinants of health; monitor and report on services and outcomes relating to mental health in the ACT; and engage with the community to promote mental health and wellbeing.
I believe that these functions will allow the office to capitalise on a unique opportunity to develop a world-class, coordinated response that is aimed at keeping people well. My aim is to support people in their recovery journey and create an inclusive Canberra community which values people with mental illness and provides opportunities for them to live happy and fulfilling lives. The office that I am pursuing will be able to drive real reform in this complex area.
Having identified these key features, ACT Health are now actively working to recruit a coordinator-general and a small team of staff to have the office up and running by 1 July in line with our commitment. I anticipate that over the first few months of operation the office will work across government and the community to develop a clear and achievable work plan. This work includes looking beyond the health portfolio and seeking to address some of the key systemic issues and social determinants that impact on mental health outcomes.
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