National Mental Health Commission visits Geelong

THE National Mental Health Commission has visited Geelong as part of its ongoing conversation with communities across Australia.

The Making Connections for Your Mental Health and Wellbeing program – also known as Connections2022 – is listening to people’s everyday experiences of the mental health and suicide prevention systems and discussing what improvements look and feel like for them.

Connections2022, which set up at the Geelong West Town Hall, will help the commission deepen its understanding of the present status of Australia’s national systems and provide critical insights as the commission develops a National Outcomes Framework.

The commission says understanding the impact of changes being made by all governments to the mental health system is critical to ensuring it is on the right track, as “there is no substitute for understanding the reality of people who are engaged with the system, particularly from consumers and carers and service providers”.

Topics raised at the Geelong meeting included digital platforms creating social disconnection and loneliness, parents needing peer support and connection just as much as their children, and the need for easy and simple access to services that are inclusive.

As well as the in-person community meetings, Connections2022 is also running group meetings with the commission team, the National Connections2022 Survey, and an interactive online portal for the next three months.

“Connections2022 is an important connecting point for people to contribute their personal experiences,” commission outgoing co-chair Lucy Brogden said.

“The program reaches beyond the key national data points such as those reported in the 2021 National Census, where mental illness was identified as Australia’s highest experience of chronic illness, to provide opportunities for everyone to share their life experiences in the context of their community.

“People’s experiences are vital when seeking to understand what is and isn’t working.

“These experiences will help shape the outcomes we are all looking for in our unwavering pursuit of a mentally healthier Australia.”

In 2019, the commission’s inaugural Connections program informed the development of Vision 2030.

More than 3,000 voices participated in Connections2019 and contributed to the design of a conceptual shift in how we deliver mental health and suicide prevention services in Australia.

“Significant changes and investments have been made at national, state and territory levels since Connections2019 and the subsequent development of Vision 2030,” Commission chief executive officer Christine Morgan said.

“For current and future commitments to have the greatest effect we need to assess the impact of those commitments on the ground.”

For more information on Connections2022, head to making-connections.com.au, phone 1800 220 246 (toll-free) or email [email protected].