Consumer and carer engagement is important for the delivery of safe, person-centered and recovery-oriented mental health and wellbeing services.
Consumers have the right to participate in decisions and exercise choice about their treatment, care, and support, even during compulsory treatment.
When consumers, families, carers and supporters are actively involved in treatment, care and service improvement, outcomes improve and services become more responsive to people's needs.
Participation and supported decision-making
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (the Act) promotes supported decision-making and recognises the right of people to participate in decisions that affect their lives. This includes decisions about assessment, treatment, care, and recovery.
The Act includes mechanisms to support participation, including:
- Advance statements of preferences
- Nominated support persons
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy for people receiving compulsory mental health services.
Support options and protections
Consumers can nominate someone they trust to support them and help communicate their views and preferences if they become unwell and receive compulsory assessment or treatment.
They can also develop an Advance Statement of Preferences to document their treatment, care, and support preferences.
Where these arrangements are in place, clinicians have obligations under the Act to consider and consult appropriately.
Responsibilities of services and practitioners
Mental health professionals have an important role in supporting consumers, carers, and supporters to participate in decision-making.
The Act includes legal mechanisms that support communication between practitioners, consumers, families, carers, and supporters.
When communicating, reasonable steps must be taken to:
- provide appropriate supports
- explain information clearly
- answer questions as completely as possible
- support people to understand information, communicate their views and participate in decision-making.
Participation in service improvement and system development
Consumer and carer engagement extends beyond individual treatment and care.
People with lived and living experience contribute valuable insight to service design, policy development, system improvement, and leadership. The Act recognises the importance of lived experience leadership and supports the inclusion of people with lived and living experience across the mental health and wellbeing system.
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