bringing the lived experience perspective

Mental Health Governance in SA is under review 

A review into Mental Health Governance in SA has recently been made public. Five recommendations related to reform oversight and responsibility roles across mental health services were made. In their interim response the Government stated that they are committed to making changes to improve MHS and accepts the recommendations contained in the report.

Recommendations made relate to: the functions of the Chief Psychiatrist and Director of Mental Health Strategy as well as the structure of their office / units; the most effective structures for oversight of mental health services within the Department of Health and Wellbeing and across the Local Health Network’s; the best way to integrate and coordinate administrative functions of a number of Statutory positions; and the role of the Mental Health Commission going forward.

Elements of the report and recommendations made concern many people, particularly in regards to the reported abolishment of the Mental Health Commission and the identified conflict of interest within the Chief Psychiatrist / Director Mental Health Strategy role. It has also been noted that a limited number of people were consulted for the initial review, with no lived experience input.

For these reasons LELAN is doing what we can to inform people of this, collate the concerns of people with lived experience and provide feedback to the Minister. It is our community’s way of contributing to the reform agenda of mental health services in South Australia. Please join us by answering the questions below and emailing your responses to info@lelan.org.au by April 9th.

It is important that the voice and insights of people with lived experience are heard

What you can do

LELAN will be submitting a response on the Review’s recommendations to Minister Wade. You may like to contribute to this. These are the areas we are asking people to reflect on and email responses to info@lelan.org.au by April 9th:

• Do you have concerns about the merging of functions of the Mental Health Commission with Wellbeing SA and the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist? Please explain these and why they are important.
• What will be lost by not having a Mental Health Commission?
• Is it important for the Mental Health Commission to be independent, why?
• What should be the purpose and functions of the SA Mental Health Commission? Your suggestions may align with what the Mental Health Commission has been doing or it may be about reconfiguring its areas of focus and approach.
• How should the Mental Health Commission, the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist and/or Wellbeing SA work best with people with lived experience and other agencies?
• Is there concern for you regarding the identified conflict of interest within the Chief Psychiatrist / Director of Mental Health Strategy role and the plan for it to not be remedied in the short-term, why?
• Is there anything else that is important to you about the report and recommendations?

As well contributing to LELAN’s response there are other ways to have a say and be actively involved. These are: 

• Attend the Consultation Forum on April 4th
• Complete the Government’s survey
• Sign the change.org petition that has been set up
• Contact the Commission direct with your concerns