Role
We are committed to reforming the mental health and suicide prevention system, so all Australians can access affordable care when and where they need it.
Established by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the advisory committee will consider mental health reforms from a whole-of-system perspective. This includes findings from the evaluation of the Better Access initiative and the broader evidence base.
The advisory committee’s areas of focus will initially be:
- distributional equity of mental health care
- low intensity services and models of care
- solutions for people with complex needs
- triage, assessment and referral.
Members
Members are appointed for their individual skills, knowledge and experience of the health and mental health system.
All members have signed a Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest and Privacy and Secrecy Deed Poll. This involves declaring actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and agreeing to protect committee information from unauthorised use or disclosure.
|
Member |
Background and experience |
|---|---|
|
The Hon Mark Butler MP (Chair) |
Minister for Health and Aged Care |
|
The Hon Emma McBride MP |
Assistant Minister for Mental Health & Suicide Prevention |
|
Dr Catriona Davis-McCabe |
President, Australian Psychological Society |
|
Dr Stephen Duckett |
Board Chair, Eastern Melbourne PHN; Honorary Enterprise Professor, The University of Melbourne |
| Professor Pat Dudgeon (from 20/9/2023) |
Board Member, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia; Professor, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia |
|
Ms Georgie Harman |
CEO, Beyond Blue |
|
Professor Samuel Harvey |
Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute |
|
Professor Ian Hickie |
Co-Director, University of Sydney Brain and Mind Institute |
|
Professor Sharon Lawn |
Carer Advocate |
|
Professor Myfanwy Maple |
Director, Manna Institute |
|
Dr Danielle McMullen |
Vice President, Australian Medical Association |
| Professor Helen Milroy (to 19/09/2023) | Chair, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia |
|
Ms Carolyn Nikoloski |
CEO, Mental Health Australia |
|
Ms Heather Nowak |
Consumer Advocate |
|
Dr Phuong Pham |
Executive Director, System Reform and Planning Victorian Department of Health |
|
Dr Ruth Vine |
Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health |
Meetings
The advisory committee will meet several times between September and December 2023.
Meeting summaries
Meeting 1
On 8 September 2023, the advisory committee met for the first time to discuss what needs to be done to improve the mental health system and respond to the Better Access evaluation.
Taking a whole-of-system perspective, members considered the building blocks of mental health reform – distributional equity, low intensity services and models, and a stepped care approach to delivering treatment. The advisory committee also considered how enhanced arrangements for triage, assessment and referral could support practitioners to refer people to the right care for their needs.
The next advisory committee meeting will be held on 26 September 2023.
Related committees or groups
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