title: Australia needs a mental health commission.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present paper aims to: (i) describe how the Mental Health Commission in New Zealand works and has contributed to the substantial enhancement of mental health resources and services; (ii) determine whether mental health reform policies will ever be implemented properly without an independent monitor with official influence at the highest levels of government; and (iii) demonstrate how variants on this model work in other Western countries and how it can be adapted to the Federated system in Australia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is recommended that the Australian National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008 should be complemented by a long-standing national mental health commission (or similarly constituted body), which is also able to report independently from and to the government, with direct access to the Prime Minister, Premiers and Australian Health Ministers. Its aims would be to monitor service effectiveness and identify gaps in service provision, training and performance of the work force, management and government. It would be informed by consumer, carer and provider experience, and by reviews of evidence-based research regarding health needs and cost-effective services. It should accurately cost such service gaps, and advise government on a strategy for implementing them. It could also promote and advise formally on enhancing community awareness, decreasing stigma and discrimination and improving workforce recruitment and retention.
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Area Service Psychiatrists Group, Sydney, NSW, Australia. arosen@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McGorry
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Groom
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hickie
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gurr
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hocking
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leggatt
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deveson
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Vivienne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D006288:Health Planning Organizations; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009426:Netherlands; D009520:New Zealand; D013548:Sweden; D014481:United States