"We are concerned that proposed changes to the definitions of NDIS supports will mean that the most vulnerable people in society will again be unable to receive the supports they need. We are disappointed that there is no evidence that mental health consumers were involved in decision-making around the development of these reforms to the NDIS." Read our full Submission on Draft Lists of NDIS Supports.
National Mental Health Consumer Alliance
Mental Health Care
The national mental health consumer peak body
About us
Established in 2019, the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance (NMHCA) brings together peak mental health consumer organisations, most of whom are funded through their individual states, as well as federal funding, to advise and inform policy directions, service planning and delivery and evaluation of services. The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance (the “Alliance”) is made up from state and territory consumer, mental health peak bodies representing NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, the ACT and Tasmania. The alliance members include VMIAC (Victoria), Being (NSW), CoMHWA (WA), LELAN (SA), MHLEPQ (QLD), Flourish (Tas) and ACT MHCN (ACT) representing the Peaks in each state of Australia plus the ACT. NMHCA represents the lived experience of mental health consumers around Australia. Each of the NMHCA members operate key services such as training, mentoring, peer support programs specific to mental health and suicide prevention, and support with NDIS. Combined the alliance represents close to 8,000 members in Australia.
- Industry
- Mental Health Care
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Melbourne
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2019
Locations
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Primary
Melbourne, AU
Employees at National Mental Health Consumer Alliance
Updates
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National Mental Health Consumer Alliance chief executive Darren Munday called on the government to immediately release the strategy so it could inform an upcoming meeting of national mental health ministers scheduled to take place later this month. “We need to move beyond mental health awareness-raising and take tangible steps to protect the human rights of people with mental health issues,” Mundary said. “The only way to really do that is through a national human rights act.”
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So pleased that Janet Meagher AM, Fay Jackson BCVA, Dip.Ed, EBE, GAICD, Michael Burge AM OAM and Victorina (Vicki) McKenna could join the Alliance for the announcement of the National Consumer Peak yesterday. The announcement as important as it was, is not an end point. It is the start of nationally focused, consumer driven advocacy for the policy direction, supports and services we want and not what others decide for us.
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It was a great morning announcement where our Chair Priscilla Brice said; “The mental health consumer movement in Australia has been waiting for over a decade for this decision, and we are deeply grateful to all the advocates who have worked extremely hard to lay the foundation for a national peak body,” Thank you to Emma McBride Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for today’s announcement and we look forward to working with her and her team on a lived experience first approach to mental health policy.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Federal Member for Dobell
Today we announced two independent peak bodies to represent people with lived experience of mental ill-health. The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance will establish the new National Mental Health Consumer Peak Body. Mental Health Carers NSW, Australia will establish the new National Mental Health Carers, Family and Kin Peak Body. The Albanese Government has allocated $7.5 million for the establishment and early operations of the peak bodies. The peak bodies will work closely with people with lived experience, the wider sector and governments to improve mental health outcomes for all Australians.
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We are thrilled to announce today that the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance has been appointed as the National Peak representing people with a lived experience of mental health issues. This has been the result of hard work by many people, over many years. Today more than any other, we stand on the shoulders of giants. ACT Mental Health Consumer Network BEING - Mental Health Consumers Consumers of Mental Health WA Lived Experience Australia Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland VMIAC Mental Health Lived Experience Tasmania
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The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance fully supports the establishment of a National Peer Worker Association. It is critical important that this body be established, and run by peer workers with a lived experience, and be free from the conflicts of interest that may exist with service provision. The Alliance looks forward to working with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care on the establishment of this much needed initiative. ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, BEING - Mental Health Consumers, LELAN | Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network, Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland, Consumers of Mental Health WA, VMIAC
We're delighted that the federal govt recognised the value of the peer workforce in yesterday's budget and has dedicated $7.1m to set up a national peer worker peak body to advocate on behalf of peer workers. This is something BEING has been strongly advocating for at a state level. We do note the that this initial funding is simply to investigate and establish a peak body. Additional, ongoing funding will be needed to realise any recommendations and to grow and support an effective peer workforce to improve mental health outcomes. Refer to p19-20 in the budget papers https://bit.ly/4alAo7K
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Alliance Chairperson Priscilla Brice highlights the lack of mental health funding to meet community needs. BEING - Mental Health Consumers ACT Mental Health Consumer Network VMIAC Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland LELAN | Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network Mental Health Lived Experience Tasmania Consumers of Mental Health WA
Disappointing to see the lack of balanced media coverage and social media outrage surrounding the Bondi Junction attack. It's refreshing to see a nuanced approach taken by SBS, who interviewed various sources, including myself. #mentalhealth #bondijunction
Bondi attack puts spotlight on 'ramshackle' mental health system, experts say
sbs.com.au
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Accessing mental health supports in regional, rural, or remote communities poses unique challenges compared to a metropolitan context. This paper outlines the position of the Alliance on equitable access to mental health supports that are recovery-oriented, person-centred, affordable and culturally appropriate to people living in regional or remote communities across Australia. Our position begins with a discussion of the barriers specific to regional or remote communities, considering that the categories themselves of ‘regional’, ‘rural’ and ‘remote’ are not homogenous and have varying needs according to size, location, population, and culture, as well as the intersectional identities of individuals who live there. We recognise, for example, that a discussion of regional community need for mental health and community supports in Western Australia (or indeed within specific regional districts within the state) will be very different to discussing the needs of a community in Victoria. This paper examines the role of social determinants of mental health and stigma as factors that contribute to mental health challenges, and also as barriers to seeking help. Consumers of Mental Health WA, ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, BEING - Mental Health Consumers, LELAN | Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network, Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland, VMIAC, Mental Health Lived Experience Tasmania
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Congratulations to Finding North, Hayley Harris and all speakers on a wonderful e-symposium and we look forward to the next one. Consumers of Mental Health WA, BEING - Mental Health Consumers Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland, VMIAC, ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, Mental Health Lived Experience Tasmania.
We did it! Phenomenal work to everyone involved in bringing #Perspectives2024 to life! The team behind this Lived Experience E-Symposium have been working hard behind the scenes for months and months! Huge shout out to Janine Defontaine for leading the project. Also to our fabulous committee Anna Scheepers, Anna Gould, Gus Soares & Melissa Pietzner for your support and guidance. Today we heard from another amazing line up of speakers, including Tess Moodie, Mary O'Hagan, Tharindu Jayadeva, Kayla Schembri, Michele Burnlar & Mellisa Rigter. Audience comments have been so positive 🥰 We are over the moon. It has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes and I am so proud that it all came together. THANK YOU to our supporters who provided tailored training to prepare our speakers for presenting at Perspectives 2024, Lived Experience Australia & National Mental Health Consumer Alliance. To The Platform for hosting some of our team over the 2 days. And of course, to Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia and Finding North for making all of this possible to begin with. #ThatsAWrap! Ben Broadbridge, Hayley Abell, Donna Didlick, Crystal Heffron, Ilyse Elphick
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The Mental Health Consumer Alliance is very pleased to be supporting the Finding North Perspectives 2024 e-symposium which will be a great event to hear from some excellent lived experience speakers. Consumers of Mental Health WA, Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland, BEING - Mental Health Consumers, VMIAC, LELAN | Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network, ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, Mental Health Lived Experience Tasmania
Big Shoutout to another one of our incredible sponsors, the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance Thank you for joining us for Perspectives 2024. We're truly honored to have your support! Learn more https://nmhca.org.au/ #LivedExperienceLeadership #Perspectives2024 #NationalMentalHealthConsumerAlliance Consumers of Mental Health WA, LELAN | Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network, VMIAC, BEING - Mental Health Consumers, Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland, #MHLET, #actMentalHealthConsumerNetwork
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