Bendigo Community Health Services welcomes today’s interim report from the Royal commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Our submission to the Royal Commission described this as a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ for mental health in Victoria and it’s enormously encouraging to see nine recommendations that pave the way for change on this scale.

We thank the many people who had the courage to tell their ‘lived experience’ stories during this Royal Commission because that bravery now has the real potential of bringing about historic change.

Our submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System was based on our experience providing services to people in need.

It’s heartening to see today’s interim report recognise the groups highlighted in our submission as needing urgent consideration.

There is the ‘missing middle’ – those who fall between the gaps due to not being at the higher level of acuteness and not meeting eligibility requirements for services funded to worth with people with mild mental health presentations.

To read the full interim report   pdf click here (1.54 MB)

Young people needing better access to services along with people of refugee background.

Importantly, the interim report highlights ‘themes’ such as poor investment, service access, dignity, stigma and discrimination, youth, carers, the complexity of mental illness, recovery, trauma and prevention - all of which must be addressed for real change to occur.

Bendigo Community Health Services is ready to use our experiences to support the design of a new mental health system and the delivery of those services.

We think it’s essential the people who bravely told their stories now get to play a role in the design of future services and facilities both to start healing the trauma of the past and to ensure any future mental health system delivers the effective change everyone so desperately wants to see.

We also acknowledge the willingness of the Andrews Government to address a systemic failure and be willing to generate reform across our regional communities and cities.

Gerard Jose

CEO, Bendigo Community Health Services