Mental health advocates are urging Border people to get involved in the Victorian Mental Health Royal Commission, with the terms of reference being developed.
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People can give their feedback on what topics the commission should investigate at engage.vic.gov.au until Saturday night.
Bethany Ward, whose inaugural Mental Health Gala raised $5000 for Beyond Blue last year, said access to services, training for the health workforce, the acute response to mental illness and the regional experience were all issues the commission should look at.
“We need more people trained and staying in the mental health field, who are trauma-informed and culturally sensitive,” she said.
“This means making courses and training available in rural areas.
“We need a social shift and change in approach, including for police in a first-response situation.
“We need to make sure people being discharged from an acute psychiatric ward have all the resources needed to get the best outcome.”
Ms Ward, who shared a personal anecdote last year in her push for awareness, said the system needed to change. “I can only go off my experience with my mother, and what I found was she would only get treatment when she was presenting for acute care, and there was not enough intervention,” she said.
Australians for Mental Health director Lisa Sweeney told The Border Mail the commission presented a unique opportunity to identify existing gaps and further build the case for reform.
“It must reflect the views and experiences of the community,” she said.
“We urge people with a lived experience of mental illness, their families and carers, to contribute to the development of the terms of reference – either directly or through an advocacy agency, such as AFMH.
“The significant response to the call for submissions thus far is indicative of the need for change.
“We will be keen to see the learnings in Victoria applied to mental health systems across the country.”
Every year, one in five Victorians experience a mental illness, and in 2018 621 Victorians were lost to suicide.
The government will announce the terms of reference in February, along with commissioners, who are tasked with providing recommendations within two years.
