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About the sector

The community managed mental health sector is a key provider of mental health services and supports to people in the community.

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Annual Reports

Find detailed information on the work we do to support the community managed mental health sector.

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Latest news

Catch up on all the latest news and stories from the community-based mental health sector.

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Sector events

Discover a range of ways to connect and learn through our events, forums and talks.

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Mental Health Rights Manual

An online guide to help explain your legal and human rights in the mental health and human services systems in New South Wales.

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Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Feeling safe and empowered to speak up in the workplace is even more important for mental health settings.

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Mental Health Peer Navigation

New accredited training for peer workers to support consumers with navigating the mental health system for their recovery journey.

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Customised training

Contact us to design a professional development solution for your workforce and organisation.

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Our members

Our members are community managed mental health organisations, large and small, local and NSW-wide service providers.

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Become a member

Join a strong network of community-based mental health organisations delivering better outcomes for people in New South Wales.

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Submissions

Submission to the Department of Social Services: General Foundational Supports

In completing its submission to the Department of Social Services, Mental Health Coordinating Council has scoped the most contemporary evidence-based research informed by the numerous gap analyses and reviews conducted at both state and Commonwealth levels. These analyses highlight not only the lack of services available and the poor equity across regions and marginalised groups, but that existing information and advice supports are insufficient in effectively connecting people with psychosocial disability services. Whist there remain many unknowns as to what the Government may or may not fund, MHCC has provided some concrete recommendations about what actions should be taken.

December 2024

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Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding: Funding Models and the way that NSW Health Funds Health Services in NSW

Mental Health Coordinating Council’s submission to the Special Commission addresses seven issues that will later be discussed in hearings focusing on the Terms of Reference A & C. The submission centres on issues as they particularly relate to the community-managed mental health service sector, and how community-managed organisations are best placed to keep people well in the community and provide a more efficient and cost effective model of care that better meets the aspirations of people that use services.

November 2024

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Submission to Inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in New South Wales

Mental Health Coordinating Council’s submission provides recommendations about the targeted interventions or programs necessary to address loneliness and provide greater social inclusion. It also seeks to minimise stigma and discrimination and reduce the associated shame, fear, and self-isolation that often leads to and exacerbates the challenges people face. Recommendations based on evidence-based research from international and local literature informed our responses, in addition to feedback through direct engagement with the sector and a broad survey. We have taken this opportunity to listen to the voices of lived experience and carers and from workers, peers, professionals, families and carers, and researchers.

November 2024

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Pre-Budget Proposal 2025-2029: Priorities for Mental Health in NSW

Mental Health Coordinating Council is pleased to see the NSW Government support 24 initiatives from the Inquiry into the equity, accessibility and appropriate delivery of outpatient and community mental health care in New South Wales, however, there has been no new investment commitments announced. This submission quantifies the recommendations that have been supported, with detailed actions, targets and investment estimates for the NSW Government to implement, and bring about the reforms required for meaningful change.

October 2024

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Additional submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Equity, Accessibility and Appropriate Delivery of Outpatient and Community Mental Health Care in NSW: A new model of care

Mental Health Coordinating Council’s joint submission with member organisation Uniting, asks the Committee to consider an evidence-based best practice model of care that integrates mental health care with general practice, delivered by the community-managed mental health (CMO) sector. This model of care addresses many of the objectives contained in recent State and Commonwealth reviews and will help fill the service delivery gaps identified. We have drawn on the research by Dr Paul Fung (Uniting) in his Churchill Fellowship paper, More is not better, better is better: A blueprint for an integrated and connected primary care system that delivers better mental health and wellbeing for all and Uniting NSW/ACT’s Integrated Primary Care pilot at Hornsby GP Unit.

June 2024

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NSW Pre-Budget Submission

In its submission, Mental Health Coordinating Council advocates four overarching budget priorities related to CMO services. These are by no means ‘new asks’ but are long overdue investments that have become increasingly urgent in what is a dynamic service delivery environment stretched to its limit. Services must be staffed by a skilled and sustainable workforce that has the capacity to grow and meet future demands across a diversity of clinical, support and peer roles. MHCC also highlights supporting people to stay well, thrive and meet their aspirations in the community; ensuring safe transitions from acute inpatient settings to community and minimise admissions and re-admissions; and supporting MHCC’s capacity to remain a strong membership organisation to ensure a growing and sustainable mental health CMO service sector.

February 2024

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Submission to Inquiry into the Equity, Accessibility and Appropriate Delivery of Outpatient and Community Mental Health Care in NSW

In this submission, Mental Health Coordinating Council provides feedback from the sector on issues raised by the terms of reference. Our submission is based on perspectives provided by survey contributors and covers equity of access, navigation of services, workforce capacity, the cultural safety of services, service integration and other key concerns and gaps.

September 2023

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Submission on the Disability Services and Inclusion Bill

A coalition of peak bodies from around the country, including Mental Health Coordinating Council, has voiced concerns over the new Australian Disability Services and Inclusion Bill. The group presented their submission on the new legislation through Community Mental Health Australia. In the submission the peaks call for a  specific definition of psychosocial disability be included in the legislation and for a broadening of the eligible activities funded to include recovery supports and capacity building

 

August 2023

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Submission to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review

Mental Health Coordinating Council has provided a response to the NDIS Review, in support of a submission made by the Australian Psychosocial Alliance, a group of organisations delivering specialist mental health and psychosocial support services. Our submission draws out additional areas of interest, including issues around regulated and unregistered providers, workforce issues and concerns around gaps in the availability of Tier 2 Psychosocial Support Programs.

 

June 2023

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Submission to the Independent Review of the Ageing and Disability Commissioner Act

Mental Health Coordinating Council provided comments as part of a review, conducted by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, into the Ageing and Disability Commissioner Act 2019. The Act is designed to help protect vulnerable adults with disability and older people from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The review is looking at whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and if the terms used in the Act are still appropriate to help meet its objectives. Subject to a few amendments and additions, MHCC believes the Act is fit for purpose.

December 2022

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