Mental Health Commissions and Councils

Mental health commissions and councils are government or independent bodies established to address and promote mental health and well-being within a specific region or jurisdiction. Their primary goal is to develop strategies, policies, and programs that enhance mental health services, reduce stigma, and improve the overall mental health of the population they serve. These commissions and councils play a crucial role in shaping mental health policy, providing recommendations to governments, and coordinating efforts across various sectors to support mental health initiatives.

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Mental health commissions and councils recognise the significance of including people with lived experience of mental health in the development of mental health policy and service planning. Here's how mental health commissions and councils promote the lived experience of mental health:
 

• Inclusion and Representation: These bodies actively seek to include individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges in their decision-making processes. This can involve having members with lived experience on the commission or council or engaging individuals through consultations and public forums.

 

• Advocacy and Awareness: Mental health commissions and councils work to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma through campaigns that feature real stories and experiences of individuals who have faced mental health challenges.

 

• Engaging in Policy Development: They advocate for policies and programs that reflect the needs and perspectives of people with lived experience, ensuring that mental health services are person-centred and recovery oriented.

 

• Creating Peer Support Programs: Mental health commissions and councils can support the establishment of peer support programs, where individuals with lived experience can offer support, guidance, and understanding to others facing similar challenges.

 

• Training and Education: They facilitate training and education programs that involve individuals with lived experience, empowering them to be mental health advocates and peer support workers.

 

• Research and Data Collection: Commissions and councils may fund research that explores the experiences and needs of individuals with mental health conditions, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their lived experience.

 

• Evaluating Service Delivery: They assess mental health services and programs, seeking feedback from those with lived experience to improve service delivery and address gaps in care.

 

• Crisis Intervention and Prevention: Mental health commissions and councils support crisis intervention services involving individuals with lived experience, as they can provide unique insights into effective prevention and early intervention strategies.

 

• Community Engagement: Commissions and councils facilitate community engagement, allowing individuals with lived experience to participate in local mental health initiatives and planning.

 

• Media and Communications: They work with media outlets to ensure that mental health stories are accurately and compassionately represented, giving voice to the experiences of those with lived experience.

 

Around the world, mental health commissions and councils prioritise the integration of perspectives from individuals with lived experience into their operations to ensure that mental health services and policies are more relevant, compassionate, and effective. In Australia, the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) is an independent government body that advocates for mental health reform, actively incorporating lived experiences into its policy development. Similarly, in New Zealand, The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (Te Haringa Mahara) promotes and monitors mental health and addiction services, valuing the insights of those with lived experience. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) plays a pivotal role in championing mental health in Canada, providing policy recommendations, and ensuring that individuals with lived experience are actively involved in shaping mental health initiatives. Alongside the Mental Health Commission of India (MHCI) and the Mental Health Commission in Zimbabwe, these entities are pivotal in driving global mental health agendas by prioritising the inclusion of lived experiences.