The mental health impacts of COVID-19 are becoming clear and BEING, as the NSW peak body for people with lived experience, is playing an important role in conveying consumer perspectives and experiences so Governments can respond appropriately.

BEING is proud to present a key set of work we have done to represent the interests of mental health consumers, including members, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These documents are:

  • A Letter of response to the emergency amendments to the NSW Mental Health Act was developed and forwarded to the NSW Minister for Mental Health. It also summarises the mental health effects consumers were feeling at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.
  • BEING’s report, titled Many Voices, Many Needs: Consultations with People Living with Mental Health Issues at the Onset of the COVID-19 Crisis. The report has been forwarded to the NSW Minister for Mental Health, NSW Minister for Health, Mental Health Commission of NSW, National Mental Health Commission.

You can download these documents in PDF form from the links below:

Many Voices, Many Needs: Consultations with people living with mental health issues at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis (downloadable version)

BEING letter to Minister Taylor regarding Emergency Measures Bill – Consumer perspectives to amendments to the NSW Mental Health Act (2007) (downloadable version)

To follow more of BEING’s ongoing consumer consultations, representations and advocacy work, you can: