NMHCCF members have a strong interest in developing and supporting the consumer and carer workforce, and the NMHCCF was pleased to partner with Community Mental Health Australia and the Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council to plan and host the National Mental Health Peer Worker Forum.
The forum was held in Sydney on 22 February 2011 and explored peer workforce issues.
Over 180 people from across Australia attended, the majority being consumer and carer peer workers. Five NMHCCF members presented and moderated sessions.
The Final Report on the Forum is available here.
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The National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) Position Statement: Supporting and developing the mental health consumer and carer identified workforce – a strategic approach to recovery was launched by Senator Claire Moore on 16 September 2010 at TheMHS Conference in Sydney.
The mental health consumer and carer identified workforce is playing an increasing role in the delivery of mental health services in Australia.
The Position Statement makes five major recommendations, including a comprehensive national audit of current consumer and carer identified workers and the development of a National Consumer and Carer Mental Health Workforce Strategy. The Position Statement is an important resource for people who are currently working as employers, colleagues or incumbents of consumer or carer identified worker positions.
The Position Statement is part of the NMHCCF’s continued work towards a mental health system where consumers and carers are true partners in their own health care.
A summary version of the Position Statement is also available here. The NMHCCF has also recently developed an Advocacy Brief about the peer workforce.
Page last updated 25 July 2011