Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Advisory Group

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Advisory Group (ATSIMHAG) offers advice to the Department of Health and Ageing on strategic and practical ways to improve the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Mental health

. Fact sheets
. Programs
. Publications
. Data
. Consumer and carer participation

. Mental health sector consultation
.. Australian Suicide Prevention Advisory Council
.. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Advisory Group
.. e-Mental Health Expert Advisory Committee
.. Health and wellbeing check for three year olds – expert group
.. Mental Health Council of Australia budget implementation workshops
.. Australian General Practice Network workshop
.. Young people and mental health – online youth forum
.. Mental Health Expert Working Group
.. National mental health consumer and carer forums
.. Access to Allied Psychological Services Expert Advisory Committee
.. Borderline Personality Disorder Expert Reference Group
.. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Advisory Group

. National mental health strategy
. COAG national action plan
. Links

Secretariat
Terms of reference

Secretariat

The Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Psychologists Association has been engaged to provide secretariat support to the ATSIMHAG. To contact the group, or for further information on members, please contact the secretariat via email at ATSIMHAG@psychology.org.au.

Terms of reference

1. Title

The name of the committee shall be the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Advisory Group (ATSIMHAG).

2. Purpose

The role of the ATSIMHAG is to offer advice to the Department of Health and Ageing on strategic and practical ways to improve the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

3. Role and function

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Advisory Group shall provide a consultative forum that can effectively offer advice to the Department of Health and Ageing on issues relating to:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and social and emotional wellbeing
policy and program approaches that could improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples access to services and mental health outcomes
the development, implementation and evaluation of measures announced in the Australian Government's Delivering National Mental Health Reform package announced in the 2011-12 budget
advice to the department and contracted consultants on the development of a renewed social and emotional wellbeing framework that is specific to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities and
liaison with other key stakeholders and advisory groups as requested by the department.

4. Terms of office

The ATSIMHAG will be established for a period of two years. The membership and role of the ATSIMHAG can be reviewed by the department at any time in line with emerging departmental needs and requirements.

5. Membership

Prof. Pat Dudgeon (chairperson)
Prof. Helen Milroy
Mr Glenn Williams
Ms Florence Onus
Ms Donna Ah Chee
Ms Helen Moran
Mr James Morrison
Associate Prof. Peter O'Mara
Dr Tom Calma
Mr Rod Little
Mr Andrew Gibson

6. Chairperson

The chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Advisory Group will be Professor Pat Dudgeon. The position of chairperson will be for the life of the group.

7. Meetings

It is expected the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Advisory Group will meet not less then four times per year and that meetings will be held in Canberra unless otherwise advised by the department.

8. Quorum

The minimum number of members required to be present for a meeting to be held and for decisions to be agreed is eight (8).