Queensland Mental Health Commission Leading Reform Summit 2023 Recap
We were delighted to attend the Queensland Mental Health Commission Leading Reform Summit 2023 in Brisbane this November.
Key themes, such as humanity, compassion, social connection, equity, early intervention, and embracing bravery and boldness, emerged most prominently during the event. Commissioner Ivan Frikovic underscored that the summit’s driving force this year was implementation, serving as the primary focus of the Queensland Mental Health Commission.
The room was filled with dedicated and talented individuals who were united in their focus on enhancing our society’s mental health and well-being. As one speaker aptly noted, "true reform happens as part of a social movement for change" – and the room was filled with enough motivated individuals to drive significant reform.
Where, then, should reform be strategically placed? Drawing from the summit insights, it is evident that reform lies in how we heal through Truth Telling led by First Nations people. Additionally, it resides in supporting families not only to survive but also thrive, ensuring our education system equips students with sufficient emotional intelligence for navigating life and relationships, addressing the societal harms caused by alcohol and gambling, comprehending the root causes of family violence, and deeply listening to the voice of Lived Experience in human service response and redesign.
Jennifer Black, CEO of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, succinctly addressed the reform imperative, stating that our current system is perfectly designed to support illness but falls short in fostering the flourishing of individuals.
Discussing community, she emphasized the need to restore community to community health and support individuals in engaging socially beyond the confines of the service system.
The summit presented a rich blend of familiar concepts, persistent ideas, and exciting new initiatives.
Perhaps the most poignant guidance for our next steps comes from someone not present at the summit but a consistent voice of Lived Experience and reform, Dr. Patricia Deegan. Her reminder resonates: "Our challenge is to be brave, bold, and daring enough to remain human-hearted while working in human services."
