Closer to mental health
June 25, 2012
THE new National Mental Health
Consumer Organisation is one step
closer to becoming a reality, with
the establishment of a Consumer
Reference Group to help set up the
organisation.
Ten people have been appointed
to the Reference Group who,
according to the Minister for
Mental Health Mark Butler, have the
“necessary expertise and experience
to make a profound impact on the
responsiveness and accountability
of the mental health system”.
The members of the Reference
Group are: Ian Watts (Chair), Dr
Michelle Banfield, Michael Burge,
Fay Jackson, Darren Jiggins, Keith
Mahar, Lei Ning, Lorraine Powell,
Emily Todorov and Lily Wu.
“Members were chosen by a
selection panel made up of
consumers, non-government and
government representatives and
bring a diverse set of skills,
knowledge, sector diversity and
networks,” said Butler.
The Group will lay the
foundations of the National Mental
Health Consumer Organisation
through a range of engagement
activities which may include
consultations, forums and
membership activities.
“It’s critical to listen to and
support people who cannot always
speak out independently to
improve mental health systems,
particularly the safety and quality
of these services, and community
awareness of the issues,” said Butler.
Once established and running,
the organisation will be responsible
for representing the diverse views
of mental health consumers and
will ensure “a more responsive and
accountable mental health system”.
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