Mental Health and Wellbeing Act – Community and Non-Acute Sector Resource Hub
In 2023 and 2024, Mental Health Victoria was engaged by the Department of Health to provide support and guidance to the community and non-acute sector regarding the implementation of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (MH&W Act). Over the lifespan of the project, MHV supported the rollout of the MH&W Act by ensuring the sector had access to engaging and informative training and provided guidance to senior leadership about navigating the MH&W Act.
To encourage ongoing learning and awareness of the MH&W Act, MHV has collated several resources and supporting materials to help progress reform and education.
Workforce Support
The community mental health and wellbeing workforce are often the first engagement a consumer and their support networks have with the system. To help support the ‘no wrong door’ approach, MHV encourages all organisations in the non-acute and community sector to embed the MHPod eLearn resource into new staff onboarding. To access the eLearn module click here.
Note: registration to MHPod is required to access the training, there are no additional charges to access the MH&W Act module.
The slide deck and resource book can be found here:
Cultural change and system reform requires a top-down approach to education and awareness. During the project, MHV hosted 120 CEOs, Senior Leaders and Board Members to attend a Breakfast event focused on the MH&W Act.
The Breakfast included an informative panel discussion featuring:
Helen Makregiorgos
General Manager | Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Treasure Jennings
Chair Commissioner | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
Associate Professor Sophie Adams
Chief Psychiatrist of Victoria
Tharindu Jayadeva
Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group Member | MHV
For those who were unable to attend, the full recording is available below:
During the event a number of key topics we’re discussed, including:
00:10:17 | Ministerial address from Ingrid Stitt MP, the Minister for Mental Health, reiterating the Victorian Government’s commitment to implementing all recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
00:29:47 | The role of advisory committees in ensuring meaningful consultation and authentic engagements.
00:34:05 | How the Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles from the MH&W Act can help guide and support cultural change in an organisation.
00:46:12 | The challenges and opportunities of embedding lived experience, sharing power and decision-making.
01:04:24 | The importance of acknowledging intersectionality such as neurodiversity, and integration of care across health, AOD and mental health.
01:10:31 | The need for continuous learning and reflection to ensure the principles of the MH&W Act are fully implemented and embedded in practice.
01:20:22 | The vital role that families and carers play in a consumer's care, and the asset they are to those working in this space.
Additional resources were provided to participants on the day, including a summarised version of the workforce resource book and a principles poster for workplace staff rooms.
Note: The principles poster was designed for A3 printing. For alternative sizes please contact MHV.
Micro-Learning Library
Under the project, MHV created a series of micro learning resources to highlight key messages outlined in the MH&W Act. MHV is calling on the community and non-acute sector to Be Brave. Create Change. Learn and Unlearn. Watch the series below:
CEO address to the Sector
Emily Wolter, Mental Health Victoria
What does cultural change mean to you?
Treasure Jennings, Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
How can leadership give permission for cultural change?
Treasure Jennings, Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
What does bravery and courage look like to you?
Tharindu Jayadeva, Member of MHV’s Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group
How can organisations embed lived and living experience into practice?
Helen Makregiorgos, Independent Mental Health Advocacy
How can you allow the MH&W Act principles to influence your work?
Associate Professor Sophie Adams, Chief Psychiatrist
Why is lived and living experience so important to leading reform?
Tharindu Jayadeva, Member of MHV’s Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group
Are complaints a criticism or an opportunity?
Treasure Jennings, Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
How can the Independent Mental Health Advocacy support the mental health sector?
Helen Makregiorgos, Independent Mental Health Advocacy
What is the greatest opportunity the MH&W Act Providers?
Associate Professor Sophie Adams, Chief Psychiatrist
Thank you to the community mental health sector
Emily Wolter, Mental Health Victoria
Other support resources:
The following mental health entities and peak bodies have developed educational tools to support further learning:
Department of Health Victoria
The Department of Health has developed a number of resources to help support the rollout of the MH&W Act. Key resources are linked below and organisations are encouraged to refer to www.health.vic.gov.au for the latest information.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 2022 Handbook | Website
Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 Video Series | Website
Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 vs 2014 | Document
MH&W Act fact sheet for mental health and wellbeing providers | Document
The Independent Mental Health Advocacy is a service provided by Victoria Legal Aid to help advocate for and support consumers who are receiving or at risk of receiving compulsory mental health treatment. A variety of resources are available to help support consumers, families and carers.
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council has been funded to develop resources and education to the broader community on the MH&W Act. More information can be read on their website.
Tandem has developed a number of resources and education for carers of mental health and wellbeing consumers across the state. This includes webinar recordings, graphics and more to help carers across Victoria.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is an independent statutory authority designed to hold the government accountable for the performance, quality and safety of the mental health and wellbeing system. Resources are under development to help mental health and wellbeing services understand the complaint resolution process.
Note: The resources listed above were current in September 2024. If you would like to list a MH&W Act resource here, please contact MHV at mhvic@mhvic.org.au.
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