Expressions of interest are now open for the Chair of a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Interim Regional Body to be established in the South East and Gippsland regions.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said the Interim Regional Body will give a voice to local communities ─ bringing together people with local knowledge and expertise to advise and guide the government on the unique mental health and wellbeing needs of communities across the state.
The Interim Regional Bodies were a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, and will be based in the three metropolitan regions of North-East, South-East and Western metro as well as in the Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Hume, Gippsland and South-West areas of regional Victoria.
Each body will consist of a Chair and five members – including at least one person with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress, and at least one person with lived experience as a family member or carer.
In its final report, the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System set out a 10-year plan to rebuild the system from the ground up, recommending a significant transformation to the way decisions are made in relation to Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing services.
The eight Interim Regional Bodies are an intermediary step towards regional governance, which will be cemented by the establishment of the legislated Regional Mental Health and Wellbeing Boards across Victoria by the end of 2023.
For more information, including how to apply, visit boards.vic.gov.au
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support you can call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or access online support at beyondblue.org.au, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at lifeline.org.au
