Mental Health Commission wants to hear from Geraldton voices at event later this month

Geraldton locals are being given a platform to discuss their mental health experiences at an outreach event later this month.

The community conversation is being run by the National Mental Health Commission, and will let members of the public discuss their perspectives and discuss improvements to Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention systems.

The meeting, on Tuesday, September 20, is \part of the commission’s Connections2022 program, aiming to understand the impact of changes to the mental health system, which the commission said was “critical to ensuring we are on the right track”.

Listening to personal perspectives was essential for capturing a full picture of mental health in Australia, according to commission co-chair Lucy Brogden.

“The program reaches beyond the key national data points . . . to provide opportunities for everyone to share their life experiences in the context of their community,” Mrs Brogden said.

“These experiences will help shape the outcomes we are all looking for in our unwavering pursuit of a mentally healthier Australia.”

The commission said insights from these meetings will help shape future government policy.

Professor Ngiare Brown, commission co-chair, said the commission has a particular focus on Indigenous communities.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people draw on thousands of years of healing knowledge that is deeply informed by culture, land, family, and community,” Professor Brown said.

“These diverse experiences across our nations can and should be incorporated into our community systems reform, to enable change that is lasting and effective for our peoples.”

The community conversation will be held at QE2 Seniors and Community Centre.

To attend the event, register online.