The Queensland Government has announced members of the Advisory Committee that will assist the government to establish the state’s first independent mental health commission.

 

“The new Commission will be the cornerstone of the ongoing process of mental health reform in Queensland and the appointment of the Advisory Committee is essential to the success of this initiative,” Minister for Mental Health Curtis Pitt said.

 

“To be truly effective, the structure and powers of the Commission must take into account the realities, expectations and aspirations of people with mental illness, their carers, our service providers and the broader Queensland community,” he said.

 

Professor Beverley Raphael, Professor of Population Mental Health and Disasters, University of Western Sydney and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Queensland, will chair the Advisory Committee.

 

The Advisory Committee will assist in the consultation period leading up to the formation of the commission.

 

The Committee members are:

Professor Beverly Raphael (Chair)

University of Western Sydney

Mr Richard Nelson

A/Chief Executive Officer, Qld Alliance for Mental Health Inc

Mr Jeff Cheverton

Chief Executive Officer, Qld Alliance for Mental Health Inc

Ms Pamela Siebrecht

Consumer and Carer participation Officer, Child and Youth Mental Health Service

Ms Gabrielle Vilic

Consumer Consultant, Gold Coast Health Service District

Ms Jan Kealton

Carer Representative

Mr Noel Muller

President, Qld Voice for Mental Health Inc

Mr Bernard Wilson

Chief Executive Officer, Open Minds

Ms Cherylee Treloar

Chief Executive Officer, Footprints

Professor Harvey Whiteford

Kratzmann Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health, Qld Centre for Mental Health Research

Mr Garth Morgan

Executive Director, QA&TSI Human Services Coalition

Ass. Professor Brett Emmerson

Executive Director, Metro North Mental Health

Mr Selwyn Button

Executive Director, Qld Aboriginal Islander Health Council

Professor Peter Steer

Chief Executive, Children’s Health Services

Ms Ann Maree Liddy

Chief Executive Officer, General Practice Qld

Mr Lindsay Irons

Acting Adult Guardia, Office of Adult Guardian

Ms Freya Combes

Clinical Psychologist, Mater CYMHS Day Program