Topic Tuesday // Let’s talk about systemic change: The Victorian Royal Commission // Tues 17th August, 7:00-8.30PM AEST

Question 1 for @BigFeelsClub

a) What is The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System?

b) How did you come to be a witness with the Royal Commission? What was that experience like?

Hi @chibam and @Kermit! Welcome to the discussion, those are great questions!

Question 1 for the Community: What is your understanding of what the Royal Commission was? And have you been involved in a widescale review such as this before?

a) What is The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System?

So we’ve known for a long time that our mental health system isn’t really fit for purpose. It’s too hard to get help, and even when you do, the help doesn’t always help.

After years of talking about this in Victoria (and trying various reform initiatives that didn't quite stick) we finally got a Royal Commission – basically a massive, independent review. It took two years. They talked to a whole lot of people across Victoria. People who’d had really bad experiences seeking help, people who’ve supported loved ones through a broken system.

a) What is The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System?

Earlier this year, the Commission released their final report, which includes 74 recommendations for how we can change the system. It’s a complete overhaul.

And the cool thing? The Victorian government has already committed to enacting all 74 recommendations. So some pretty major changes are coming here in Vic over the next few years.

Great question @chibam, @BigFeelsClub or @Former-Member what are your thoughts on terminology?

b) How did you come to be a witness with the Royal Commission? What was that experience like?

I was asked to be a witness to the Royal Commission because of my work with The Big Feels Club, and my work as a consultant.

It was a strange process. At first, I wanted nothing to do with it! I was terrified they were going to stuff it up.

Mental health is really personal work, especially when you’ve been through this stuff yourself. When you put yourself out there to try to make change, and that change doesn’t happen, or it isn’t perfect? Well, it hurts. But that's not where I landed...

I hope that the recommendations and changes to come have an impact nationally @BigFeelsClub

Also, @Kermit cost is a huge issue - good question.

b) How did you come to be a witness with the Royal Commission? What was that experience like?

So I wasn't sure whether to get involved.... But my girlfriend – mental health advocate Honor Eastly – was getting involved. And that convinced me to give them a chance.

I’m really glad I did. I spent far too many days writing my official witness statement – you can read a small extract here if you’re interested (plus see a cheesy photo of me! Bonus!). I basically gathered together every good idea I felt I’ve ever had about how things could be better, and gave it to them, thinking – ‘I wonder if anything will come of this?’

I then got asked to have a one-on-one chat with the Lead Commissioner, Penny Armytage. And you know what? I feel like I genuinely helped inform her thinking, particularly around the thing I care most about: carving out more spaces in this system for people with lived experience to be in charge.

Hi @complex thanks for joining us this evening.
This is an issue that many folks have been interested in, and we've certainly heard about how rough this can be. The Royal Commission recommended a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act for Victoria. This new Act would include an aim to eliminate the use of restrictive practices within 10 years, and to ensure that compulsory treatment and restrictive practices are only used as a last resort.

You can read about the new Act here.

While consultations on the Act have now closed, if you have questions about the new Act, please feel free to reach out to the address below:

Thanks for raising this important issue.