Working with the community

The Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing is committed to a whole of community approach to support mental health and wellbeing, suicide and self-harm prevention. We work across government agencies, with stakeholders and the community.

By working together, the office can focus on issues relating to the broad social factors that impact on the mental health of individuals and the community including:

• housing
• education
• employment
• community services
• the justice system.

The office advocates for the prevention of mental illness and promotion of social inclusion.

Minister for Mental Health

The Coordinator-General reports directly to the Minister for Mental Health. She provides advice and reports on the progress of the office's work plan.

Mental Health Advisory Council

This council is a statutory advisory body established to provide advice to the Minister for Mental Health and the Coordinator-General of the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

The council is established under the Mental Health Act 2015 to provide advice about:

• emerging or urgent mental health issues
• mental health service reforms
• mental health policy
• mental health legislative change
• other matters in relation to mental health and social and emotional wellbeing as requested by the Minister.

Members are appointed on the basis of their individual expertise and to reflect the diversity of the ACT community. The council brings together knowledge, skills and experience in promoting mental health, mental health care services and addressing mental illness.

For more information about the advisory council and its members visit our governance page.

Peak mental health organisations

We meet regularly with the peak bodies to seek input to activities of the office, consider joint activities, and identify the emerging trends and developments across the mental health sector.

Prevention, Mental Health and Family Safety Inter-Directorate Committee

This whole of ACT Government committee is managed by the office and provides a coordinated approach to mental health and wellbeing across the ACT. The committee addresses key systemic issues and social determinants of mental health.

The committee also provides leadership and guidance on preventative health, mental health and wellbeing, and family safety initiatives across the ACT. This committee meets every 2 months.

Children and Young People Community of Practice

This group has members from government and non-government organisations. The group meets throughout the year to share information and collaborate on mental health and wellbeing initiatives for children and young people in the ACT.

Child and Youth Mental Health Sector Alliance

This alliance includes members from government, non-government organisations and the community. Our purpose is to progress key sector priorities and shared decision-making. We aim to improve communication, connection and collaboration with the child and youth mental health sector.

The Office is also working with local universities to develop a designated partnership group to focus on supporting the needs of people who are engaged in higher education in the ACT. We are also working with Capital Health Network to determine the development of a partnership group to supports the needs of the ACT Community.

ACT Suicide Prevention Coordinating Committee

This committee provides collaborative leadership and promotes partnership to reduce suicide in the ACT.

Membership consists of representatives from the community, ACT government, non-government organisations, universities, the ACT Coroner, Capital Health Network and the convenors or chairs of the Suicide Prevention Partnership groups.

Currently there are 4 suicide prevention partnership groups:

• the Data and Evaluation Suicide Prevention Partnership Group
• Connecting with People Partnership Group
• Youth Aware of Mental Health Partnership Group
• the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Partnership Group.

Joint mental health commissioners

The National Mental Health Commission, State and Territory Commissions and the New Zealand Commissioner meet to consider the progress of mental health reforms and the reform agenda. We work collaboratively through other agencies and organisations and community members through a variety of engagement mechanisms.