Greater focus on mental health outcomes in the community and engagement of people living with mental illness are among a number of key recommendations to be implemented following the Review of the Mental Health Commission of NSW.
Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies today released the five-year statutory Review of the Commission, which makes 17 recommendations on the work of the Commission – related to strategic planning, advocacy and systemic reviews.
“This report recognises the contribution made by the Commission in the mental health system, and its important role in providing a vision to the people of NSW to live well and maintain good health and wellbeing throughout their life,” Mrs Davies said.
“The independent reviewer Dr David Chaplow also noted the remit of the Commission needed to be focused and refined, recommending a greater focus on engaging with mental health consumers and on reviewing, evaluating and reporting on the mental health outcomes for the people of NSW.”
The Review found that reporting 'should be holistic and systemic’ and ‘should encompass not just the role of the public health system in improving outcomes, but also the roles of private and general practice and the broader social sector’.
“The Review also notes that the time has come to revisit Living Well, and I have had discussions with the Mental Health Commissioner about beginning that process,” Mrs Davies said.
“We look forward to continuing to support and work alongside a strong and independent Mental Health Commission in NSW.”
The NSW Government has accepted 16 of the 17 recommendations of the Review, with the recommendation to rename the Commission subject to further consideration.
The Review consultation process has been extensive, engaging stakeholders from the mental health, broader health, government, and community sectors, as well as a comparative analysis of mental health governance and best practice models in other jurisdictions.
The NSW Government is investing a record $2.1 billion for mental health services in 2018-19, including $100 million to continue building a community mental health system in NSW. These initiatives form part of the NSW Government’s mental health reform response to the Commission’s Living Well strategic plan.
For the Review of the Mental Health Commission of NSW: Report to Parliament 2018 and Government response visit Review of the Mental Health Commission.
The NSW Government will introduce legislation to make recommended amendments to the Mental Health Commission Act (2012).