Australia's ambitions to make a difference in people's lives: the early focus of the new National Mental Health Commission
| Date | 30 November 2012 |
| Pages | 238-247 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13619321211289317 |
| Published date | 30 November 2012 |
| Author | Robyn Kruk |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Australia’s ambitions to make a difference
in people’s lives: the early focus of the new
National Mental Health Commission
Robyn Kruk
Abstract
Purpose – Mental health refo rm needs to engage leaders across jurisdictions and
governments/communities. This paper aims to describe the history leading to the establishment of
the Australian National Mental Commission (the Commission) in 2012 and to identify
opportunities/challenges in cross jurisdictional/sectoral reform of mental health services.
Design/methodology/approach – This case study is based on the observations of the author who has
held lead state and national roles prior to leading the Commission. It sets the establishment of the
Commission in the broader context of changing community attitudes, strong consumer/careradvocacy,
increased financial support for mental health and establishment of state commissions.
Findings – Cross sectoral/jurisdictional reform needs leadership from government heads and central
agencies. Risks relate to the need to effectively articulate state and national commissions and
challenges accompanying multilateral stakeholders with high and often conflicting expectations, and
tensions with other high priority issues that also require alignment between Federal and State leaders
and agencies.
Research limitations/implications – There may be potential bias based on the perspective of the
narrator, and the benefits of direct experience in multiple jurisdictions.
Practical implications – Thepaper identifies critical success factors in the establishment/operation of
the first national Commission and the establishment of relationships with state commissions, relevantto
other cross jurisdictional bodies.
Originality/value – The paper provides an insight into the factors leading to the establishment of the
first national Commission and its articulation with state commissions and the early operational
challenges facing cross jurisdictional reforms in changing political climates.
Keywords Mental health services, National commissions, Collaboration,
Consumer and carer engagement, Australia, Change management
Paper type Case study
Background to the development of the Commission
Mental health is an area of growing global, national, state and local concern and interest.
It is an area that has a number of challenges, but also significant opportunities going
forward. The reforms taking place across Australia are a response to a range of challenges,
and included in the architecture of reform is the establishment of a new National Mental
Health Commission (the Commission) for Australia reporting directly to the Prime Minister.
The last few years have seen an even sharper focus on mental health and what needs to
happen to meet some of the challenges that have been identified. These include the
following;
The challenges of a federated system. Mental health has traditionally been a matter dealt
with by national and state health ministers through established inter-governmental
processes as part of a suite of broader health-related challenges. Progress in both the
development, commitment of resources and implementation of cross-jurisdictional mental
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MENTAL HEALTHREVIEW JOURNAL
j
VOL. 17 NO. 4 2012, pp. 238-247, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1361-9322 DOI 10.1108/13619321211289317
Robyn Kruk is based at the
National Mental Health
Commission, Sydney,
Australia.
Thanks to Samantha Webster
and Davina Dressler, National
Mental Health Commission.
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