Mental Health and Wellbeing Transformation

The Royal Commission found that the present system is not designed or equipped to support the diverse needs of people living with mental illness or psychological distress, families, carers and supporters, let alone to cope with unforeseen pressures that may arise.

Due to system constraints, services are often inaccessible at the times when they would make the most difference, and the system largely operates in crisis mode—that is, it tends to react to mental health crises rather than preventing them. The system is complex and fragmented and, for those who do manage to get into it, difficult to navigate. People experience enormous frustration and distress when trying to identify the right mental health services for themselves or someone else.

The Commission’s report sets out recommendations to commence a new approach to mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support. The Victorian Government has started implementing these recommendations.

The report outlines system-wide reforms to create a mental health and wellbeing system that is contemporary and adaptable. The report comprises five volumes:

• Volume 1: A new approach to mental health and wellbeing in Victoria

• Volume 2: Collaboration to support good mental health and wellbeing

• Volume 3: Promoting inclusion and addressing inequities

• Volume 4: The fundamentals for enduring reform

• Volume 5: Transforming the system—innovation and implementation

Across these volumes, the Commission sets out 65 recommendations to transform Victoria’s mental health system. Some of the recommendations are foundational and focus on creating new structures to support a sustainable mental health and wellbeing system.

Some concentrate on ensuring that treatment, care and support are available and accessible. Others focus on redesigning services to move from a crisis-driven model to a community‑based one that delivers beneficial outcomes for people. Some recommendations are a first for Victoria, such as setting up initiatives led by people with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress, and establishing lived experience leaders throughout the system.

Albury Wodonga Health will be playing its part in rebuilding our mental health and wellbeing services locally. This is a collective effort with government and community and we are engaging across the sector to deliver this transformation.

Statewide priorities were initially identified and these encompassed 8 core areas that AWH has commenced working on:

Priority 1: Embed lived experience in leadership, design and delivery of Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Priority 2: Establishing the two Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Streams

Priority 3: Expanding core clinical services

Priority 4: Delivering more clinical activity outside of standard business hours

Priority 5: Primary and secondary consultation across the system and developing models of shared care

Priority 6: Forming a partnership with an NGO provider of wellbeing services

Priority 7: Integrated mental health and alcohol and other drugs treatment, care and support for people living with mental illness and substance use or addiction

Priority 8: Supporting the new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

However, as transformation continues new and additional priorities are being added and AWH is flexibly responding to these. In recent times this has included:

·         preparing the organisation for the implementation of the 2022 MHW Act

·         a Digital Services Trial – looking at increasing the accessibility of Mental Health services to regional and rural areas through the use of digital tools or improved digital infrastructure.  

A dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Transformation Team is in place and have commenced working through a locally focussed transformation plan.

·         The inherent dignity of people living with mental illness is respected, and necessary holistic support is provided to ensure their full and effective participation in society.

·         Family members and carers of people living with mental illness have their contributions recognised and supported.

·         Comprehensive mental health treatment, care and support services are provided on an equitable basis to those who need them and as close as possible to people’s own communities—including in rural areas.

·         Collaboration and communication occur between services within and beyond the mental health system and at all levels of government.

·         Responsive, high-quality, mental health services attract a skilled and diverse workforce.

·         People living with mental illness, their family members and carers, as well as local communities, are central to the planning and delivery of mental health treatment, care and support services.

·         Mental health services use continuing research, evaluation and innovation to respond to community needs now and into the future.