Australia builds future leaders in mental health

The initiative, developed and led by the National Mental Health Commission, is funded by the Australian Government and was launched by the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health.

Minister Hunt said the government was committed to building a strong mental health workforce and providing Australians with the best care.

“The Fellowship program will equip our emerging mental health leaders with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to work in today’s mental health care environment,” Minister Hunt said.

The Commission’s Interim CEO, Maureen Lewis said 40 Australians from within and outside the mental health sector will begin Australia’s first national program for emerging leaders in 2018.

“The chosen participants have backgrounds in clinical and community services, allied health, emergency services, academia and public policy,” Ms Lewis said.

They all work in crucial areas of need including suicide prevention, child and adolescent mental health, and indigenous, multicultural, rural and remote communities.”

The Commission’s Chair, Lucy Brogden said the prestigious Fellowship was developed in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, the Commission, people with lived experience and mental health professionals.

“We opened the Fellowship calling for applications. We received over 200 from people nationwide, of an extremely high calibre – this is just the beginning,” Mrs Brogden said.

“These emerging mental health leaders – 20 start today and 20 in October – have immense potential to make a difference.

“This group of future Fellows from around Australia will develop skills to better influence positive outcomes for mental health, whichever setting they work in.”

Mrs Brogden explained the Fellowship builds on feedback from stakeholders concerning the need to build greater leadership capacity across the community, government and non-government sectors.