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As many of you know, BEING is a proud, foundational member of the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance. The Alliance recently launched its 2025-2028 strategic plan, Reimagining Mental Health, at the 2025 TheMHS Annual Conference. For those who missed it, you can learn about our unified vision for change at the webinar launch on 9 October. Register for the launch here.
But I wanted to give you a sneak peek and talk about one of the strategic plan’s core priorities: our fight for nationally legislated and funded services by, for and with mental health consumers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you felt overwhelmed by the plethora and constant stream of reform. It’s genuinely hard to keep up! From the NDIS Review to the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Health and Mental Health Agreement, to the recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission and the recent psychiatrist resignations, there are so many challenges and opportunities to finally getting it right.
In NSW, we saw how the NDIS roll-out gutted so many essential mental health and psychosocial supports and services. There still is so much unmet need that it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. For too long, much needed systemic reform has been stalled by inaction and complexity.
This is why BEING, and the other members of the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance that make up the Alliance, decided to cut through the noise. Our priority is unambiguous: to secure effective, equitable psychosocial supports for every Australian who needs them.
The current state of play is failing. While frameworks are proposed, people are being denied access to the NDIS at an increasing rate. We have reached a critical impasse and the human cost is immense. That is why our Alliance – the recognised national peak body, governed and staffed by people with lived experience – has agreed on a decisive two-fold position:
1. Mental health consumers must lead the co-design of Australia’s mental health system outside of the NDIS. We applaud the Productivity Commission’s recent finding that the national mental health agreement is not fit for purpose and their recommendation to start anew with co-design. Co-design must be genuine, so everyone can access support.
2. We must improve access, fairness and outcomes for people with psychosocial disability within the NDIS. The current trajectory of reducing access and inconsistent access to supports if you’re on the NDIS, is unacceptable. We need a system that works for our community, not against it.
BEING and the rest of the Alliance is uniquely placed to lead this charge, but we need YOUR voice alongside others to amplify this position. The time for waiting is over. The time for action is now. How can you help? Take your pick!
– Ask someone you know to join BEING
– Advocate locally! Do you have a group of local consumers that would want to share their story with your local Federal MP? Reach out to me via info@being.org.au and let’s arrange a meeting together
– Reflect our position in your conversations with others interested in change – share it online, or in real life!
– Have a story that you think would help us advance our position with decision-makers and are comfortable sharing it? Reach out to us at info@being.org.au.
Together, we can build a system that doesn’t just manage need, but enables genuine wellbeing and thriving for all.
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