Who is Really in Charge of Mental Health Support

This blog puts perspective on mental health ‘supports’ providing insight into the Governing & Peak Bodies associated with Mental Health in Australia.

A GOVERNING BODY is responsible for setting rules, regulations and standards that govern in this case, mental health! This ensures that legal frameworks and ethical guidelines are adhered to by those associated with the providers of mental health care. Who knew there were so many, but here are the key players. Many will find this boring, but if this is helpful to one person that warms my little heart!

At a national level is:

National Mental Health Commission (NMHC)

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC0)

Australian Government Health and Aged Care

National Mental Health Consumer Alliance

Mental Health Carers Australia

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

The National Mental Health Strategy

Each state has their own governing bodies and agencies. In Victoria we have:

Mental Health Victoria (MHVIC)

Victorian Government - have a crucial role in legislation and funding via

the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act with most recent amendments in 2022

Better Health Channel - www.betterhealth.vic.gov

Primary Health Network (PHN)

Medicare Mental Health

Compassionate Friends Victoria (phoneline)

Mental Health Foundation Australia (phoneline)

National Mental Health Helpline for individuals, families and carers.

PEAK BODIES National and State

Building capacity in lived experience engagement

Lived experience workforce

Lived experience guides policies and procedures

National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum

Community Mental Health Australia

National Mental Health Commission

Lived Experience Australia

Consumers Health Forum of Australia

Black Dog Institute

Australian Medical Association (AMA)

Mental Health Australia

National Disability Services

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Australian Primary Healthcare Nurses Association

Australian Psychological Society

Australian Association of Social Workers

Occupational Therapy Australia

Australian Counselling Association

Australian College of Mental Health Nursing

life in mind

beyond blue

reach out

SANE Australia

Everymind

Who knew there were so many governing bodies, organizations and supports available in mental health. But is it enough? Are these bodies functioning as they should ? We can always do better, because while much has improved in recent decades, the system is still broken. Consider some of the attitudes at the coal face!

For further information you can access any of these sites on the internet

*Thanks to My mental Health Site for above information. All these bodies are accessible via the internet!