Latest News

Victorian Mental Health Reform Council

On 5 October 2009, the Hon Lisa Neville MP, Minister for Mental Health announced the Victorian Mental Health Reform Council. 

The Council brings together 17 members from a variety of public and private organisations to provide high level oversight of and guidance on implementation of mental health reform in Victoria, and effectively engage the range of sectors required to achieve the aims of the reform strategy. The Council’s Terms of Reference are available here: VMHRC - Terms of Reference (PDF file, 43kb)

The Council is chaired by Mr Terry Laidler, psychologist, independent consultant and former radio broadcaster.  The full list of members includes:

• Terry Laidler (Chair), Director, Logical Ideas Pty Ltd.
• Todd Harper, CEO, VicHealth.
• Dr Gerry Naughtin, CEO, MIND.
• Associate Professor Richard Newton, Director of Psychiatry, Austin Health.
• Lyn Tout, Principal, Werribee Primary School.
• Professor Pat McGorry, Executive Director, ORYGEN Youth Health.
• Mark Lacey, Consumer Consultant, Ballarat Health Psychiatric Service.
• Marcia Pinskier, Commissioner, Victorian Multicultural Commission.
• Dr Sally Cockburn, GP & media personality.
• Dr Leigh Gassner, Independent Consultant.
• Judge Paul Grant, President, Children's Court of Victoria.
• Dr Margaret Leggatt, AM, Patron, SANE Australia.
• Lisa Gray, Group Executive Personal Banking National Australia Bank.
• Tracey Browne, Manager, National OHS Policy and Membership Services, Australian Industry Group.
• Roslyn Kelleher, Executive Director, Police, Emergency Services and Corrections, Department of Justice.
• Tony Cook, Deputy Secretary, Office of Planning, Strategy and Co-ordination, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
• Paul Smith, A/Executive Director, Mental Health and Drugs Division, Department of Health

Release of Mental Health Act 1986 review Community Consultation Report and Government Response to the Community Consultation Report

On 20 July 2009, the Hon. Lisa Neville MP, Minister for Mental Health, released the Community Consultation Report and Government Response to the Community Consultation Report, both of which mark a significant milestone in the review of the Mental Health Act 1986.

The Community Consultation Report (PDF file 1.62mb) seeks to reflect the substantial quantity of information and ideas received from those who participated in the consultations, including people who have or are experiencing mental illness, families and carers, clinicians and health workers from the public and private sectors, lawyers and many others impacted by mental illness.

The Government Response to the Community Consultation Report (PDF file 1.34mb) provides a statement of the directions which Government will take in progressing the key aspects of proposed new legislation, in response to key issues raised by stakeholders.

Hard copies can also be ordered by contacting the Review enquiry line on 1300 656 692 or by emailing mhactreview@dhs.vic.gov.au.

Is your high getting you low?  A new cannabis and mental health website for young people

Is your high getting you low? is a new campaign and website about cannabis and mental health. It is a collaboration between the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF), Orygen Youth Health and the Department of Human Services (DHS) Victoria.

The campaign will roll out over the next five months and will feature a series of animated short films following four young people's experiences with cannabis. These films, and accompanying resources including fact sheets and postcards, encourage the audience to think about how their mental health and wellbeing may be affected by cannabis use. 

The first of these animated short films has already been uploaded to the camapign website www.highsnlows.com.au along with other information for young people about how to seek help and information for themselves or someone they are concerned about. The website also includes:

• An anonymous and professional Q&A service that provides clear, unbiased, non-judgmental answers to any questions they may have about cannabis and mental health. The answers are provided by a panel of health professionals.
• A safe space for visitors to share their stories and experiences.
• Information about cannabis and mental health.
• A searchable database of Australian youth-friendly health services and organistations.

For more information contact chantelle.miller@dhs.vic.gov.au or richard.adezio@dhs.vic.gov.au

$234 million to be invested in mental health over the next five years

With the announcement of a further $182 million for mental health initiatives to support service development in the 2009-10 State Budget, a total of $234 million will be invested over the next five years from 2008-09 to implement the strategic directions of Because mental health matters: Victorian Mental Health Reform Strategy 2009-19. 

The 2009-10 State Budget fact sheet (PDF, 91kb) outlines this new investment in more detail.

The 2008-09 Seeding Initiatives Update (PDF, 42kb) reports on the progress of mental health initiatives announced in the 2008-09 State Budget.

Community Health Counselling Policy Framework released

The Community Health Counselling: Policy framework and program standards policy (PDF, 797kb) has now been released.  The policy supports the directions of Because mental health matters and aims to ensure that all Victorians have access to affordable, effective counselling that is physically accessible and culturally appropriate.

^Top