Connections2019

Connections 2019 was phase one of a three phase process that will see the development of the Vision 2030 Blueprint and Roadmap for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

About Connections

From July – September 2019 the Commission launched the first Connections project as a national conversation and consultation about the future of mental health and suicide prevention in Australia. 

Connections 2019 involved the Commission connecting with people in their community to understand their personal experiences of mental health and wellbeing to inform a shared Vision 2030 for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. It sought to ensure that these voices are not only included in the Vision, but that they provide a starting point for the design of an improved approach to the Australian mental health system.

We travelled far and wide to hear about your particular triumphs and challenges navigating our current mental health system. We asked questions such as; What are the barriers you have experienced in trying to get help? What has made a difference for you?

As part of Connections, the Commission visited 26 communities across Australia to hold Town Hall meetings at which anyone with a living experience of mental health; consumers, carers, families and those organisations which provide support and care, were invited to attend. We also launched an online survey to allow all Australians to contribute to the conversation and Vision 2030. Overall, we connected with over 3,000 people.

Click on the interactive map below to download snapshots of what we heard from each community.

All information was analysed to identify key themes and consensus about the barriers experienced, community needs and opportunities to improve the experience of mental health care. This information was then incorporated into phase 2 consultations - Vision 2030: Blueprint.

The Connections Story

Australian Aboriginal artist Bibi Barba, from the Durumal/Woka Woka people, embodies the Connections story with a squiggly line and dots that represent all Australian people from different backgrounds that have come together in harmony to talk and yarn with each other about mental health in each community.

Each colour used respectively represents as follows:

• Orange ochre for the land on which we stand united together.
• Red Brown colour for the people from all background regardless of nationality.
• Blue colour for the calmness in dealing with mental health.

What next?

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in and contributed to Connections. The Commission has consolidated your feedback and is now working on the next phases of the Vision project. For more information on these phases please see the following;