Our role in the Mental Health Advisory Council

1. Our role in the Mental Health Advisory Council Presentation for the Board of CoMHWA

2. Members • Barry MacKinnon (Chair) • Judy Edwards (Deputy Chair) • Joe Calleja • Margaret Doherty • Dr. John Edwards • Pamela Gardner • John Hesketh • Lindsay Smoker • Dr. Alexandra Wellborn • Dr. Bernadette Wright • Professor Dianne Wynaden • Janelle Ridgway (‘ex officio’ for CoMHWA)

3. My Job (Since June 2012) • Consumers of Mental Heath WA (CoMHWA) Representative to the Mental Health Advisory Council • POSITION DESCRIPTION • Role • The representative will be an ex-officio (member representing CoMHWA) member of the Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC). • Key Responsibilities • Present consumers’ views on the issues considered by the MHAC. • Inform CoMHWA on the issues being considered by MHAC. • Duties • Attend monthly MHAC meetings. If not able to attend a meeting provide sufficient notice to enable a proxy representative to attend. • Meet with and consult the CoMHWA Chairperson/Executive as necessary to ensure CoMHWA’s position on the issues is clearly understood and expressed. • Provide written and/or verbal briefings to the CoMHWA Chairperson/Executive as required, ensuring CoMHWA is fully informed re the issues being dealt with by the MHAC. • Respect and demonstrate CoMHWA’s values and objectives. • Act in a professional and accountable manner; positively represent CoMHWA as the association for mental health consumers in WA. • Timeframe • This role may be time-limited, with the timeframe to be negotiated with the representative and the Chairperson /Executive of CoMHWA .

4. What is current? • Values Sub Committee has created a Values Framework and at each meeting one member has the responsibility for assuring the Council abides by these in its considerations: • The council strive to provide independent advice to the Mental Health Commissioner • Value and respect diversity and work in an inclusive and accessible way, with particular sensitivity to advocating for the most unheard voices • Explore Innovation in MH with curiosity • Seek out the best local, national and international practices • Promote hope for recovery for individuals with mental ill-health and their families/carers

5. The Stokes Report

6. The Mental Health Bill

7. What have I been doing? • Communications sub-commitee (special interest in making the board more transparent to consumers and accessible through Facebook and Twitter – coming up against some obstacles there) I have been unable to attend sub-committee meetings as I have to go to work! • Advocating for consumers to the best of my ability with little information on what CoMHWA members are thinking

8. What could we do better? • Debrief after each meeting (Skype or phone?) • Send out updates on newsletter and website (brief!) • Consultation with members through social networking or a blog so that the conversation continues without holding physical forums • The board following up on my reports and what is coming up and providing me with an official position on it in a timely manner(ie. Mental Health Bill, Stokes report) • Connect with disadvantaged groups and expand membership • Provide me with an official response to Mental Health Bill and Stokes Report ASAP. • Official position on the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act 1996 (CLMIA Act)

9. Questions?