People from the ACT and Batemans Bay regions will be able to share their experiences of the mental health and suicide prevention system with the Federal Government next week.

The National Mental Health Commission will bring its outreach program, Making Connections for Your Mental Health and Wellbeing program (Connections2022), to Canberra on Tuesday 19 July 5.30-7pm at Manuka Oval. The program will also visit Batemans Bay on Monday 18 July.

The outreach program is described as a national conversation about mental health with people in their own community.

By sharing your experience, the Commission states, you can help build the evidence required to reform Australia’s future national mental health and suicide prevention policies.

The Commission wants to hear from everyone, and Connections2022 will provide a platform for all to share their experiences, and discuss what improvements look and feel like for them.

This will help the Commission more deeply understand national systems and develop a National Outcomes Framework.

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

The Commission’s visit to Canberra is part of a nation-wide tour of 37 communities across Australia – the first time in three years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canberrans and other Australians will be able to participate in Connections2022 through in-person community meetings; group meetings with the Commission team; the National Connections2022 Survey; and an interactive online portal.

“Connections2022 is an important connecting point for people to contribute their personal  experiences,” Commission co-chair Lucy Brogden AM 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 addition to in-person community meetings, Connections2022 will meet sector and community leaders and host a series of special focus webinars about accessibility to mental health care and services; lived experience participation; mental health and wellbeing across a range of sectors, including housing, education, justice, and employment;  stigma and discrimination and the barriers to seeking help; and the quality of care and the experience of recovery, for individuals, families, and communities.

In 2019, the Commission’s inaugural Connections program informed the development of Vision 2030: Blueprint for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

More than 3,000 voices participated in Connections2019, and helped to design 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 CEO, 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. Real change can only be measured by the reality of a person’s experience and the improvements this makes to their mental health and well-being.”

The Connections2022 program will connect with all people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Commission, community-based organisations, and family Elders and leaders are working together to more deeply understand their experience of the mental health and suicide prevention systems.

“Recognising the diversity of experience as much as the common grounds for remote and metropolitan communities will be critical to informing how improvements can be measured,” Commission co-chair, Professor Ngiare Brown, added.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people draw on thousands of years of healing knowledge that is deeply informed by culture, land, family, and community. These diverse experiences across our nations can and should be incorporated into our community systems reform, to enable change that is lasting and effective for our peoples.”

The full Connections2022 program can be found here, by calling toll free: 1800 220 246, or by emailing [email protected].

To attend the community event in Canberra on 19 July, please register here: making-connections-civic.eventbrite.com.au

To attend the Batemans Bay event on 18 July, please register here: making-connections-batemansbay.eventbrite.com.au

If you, or someone you know is experiencing distress, support is always available from:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
• 13YARN (13 92 76) – 24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples.

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