Mental Health Commission of NSW

Home
Australia
Sydney, NSW
Mental Health Commission of NSW

The Commission advocates for mental health system reform and promotes mental health and wellbeing

15/09/2026

Trust, access and belonging were central to an important conversation with multicultural community leaders this week.

Acting NSW Mental Health Commissioner Julie Dixon joined the Sydney North & East Regional Community Network to hear directly from community leaders about the mental health and wellbeing issues affecting their communities.

Members discussed the need for earlier support, culturally responsive care, stronger community-based responses, and the impacts of racism, isolation and stigma. They also explored the opportunities and risks of technology and AI.

Their insights will help shape NSW’s next 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform Strategy.

Read more: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/trust-access-and-belonging-multicultural-communities-share-what-needs-change

14/09/2026

Julie Dixon returns to the role of Acting NSW Mental Health Commissioner.

Julie has been part of the Mental Health Commission of NSW since 2020. Over the past three decades she has led major statewide reforms across mental health, su***de prevention, HIV, alcohol and other drugs, and population health across NSW Government. She has a strong focus on partnering with communities and people with lived and living experience to embed their voices in decision-making at all levels across organisations to improve outcomes.

As Acting Commissioner, Julie will lead the Commission's work to finalise the next NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform Strategy, informed by more than 5,500 people and 400 organisations, alongside the development of a new Statewide Su***de Prevention Plan, an Aboriginal Su***de Prevention Plan and a system-wide outcomes framework that measures what matters to people and communities.

Recruitment for the ongoing NSW Mental Health Commissioner role is underway.

Learn more about Julie Dixon: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/content/julie-dixon-acting-mental-health-commissioner

10/09/2026

On World Su***de Prevention Day, we recognise the importance of being guided by lived experience and the cultural knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Hear from members of the NSW Su***de Prevention Council and Aboriginal Su***de Prevention Council as they share what they’ve learned from their experiences, what they believe should be prioritised in su***de prevention, and what they’re hopeful for.

The Mental Health Commission of NSW will continue to listen to the voices of lived experience and the community, and are undertaking consultation to help inform the NSW Su***de Prevention Plan and NSW Aboriginal Su***de Prevention Plan.

If you need support, call Lifeline 13 11 14, 13YARN or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.

09/09/2026

After two years as NSW Mental Health Commissioner, Jennifer Black will soon be saying farewell to the Commission.

We thank Jennifer for her leadership, commitment and contribution to mental health and wellbeing and su***de prevention in NSW, and we wish her well as she begins her next chapter in Victoria.

Read Jennifer's reflections on the past two years: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/farewell-message-jennifer-black-nsw-mental-health-commissioner

08/09/2026

Congratulations to the finalists in the 2026 Mental Health Matters First Nations Social & Emotional Wellbeing Award.

The Commission is proud to sponsor this important award, recognising those who uplift community resilience, nurture cultural identity, foster healing and create environments where First Nations individuals, families and communities can thrive in mind, spirit and connection.

Join us as we celebrate the finalists and announce the winner at the Mental Health Matter Awards lunch on Friday 25 September.

04/09/2026

What do people with lived experience say is needed to improve su***de prevention in NSW?

Our latest Shifting the Landscape su***de prevention report highlights progress in lived experience leadership, peer-led supports and su***de prevention services, while identifying priorities for future reform.

These findings will help inform su***de prevention planning across NSW.

Read the report: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/report/tracking-change-su***de-prevention-year-2-monitoring-and-evaluation-shifting-landscape

02/09/2026

This Su***de Prevention Month, we're highlighting our ongoing work to reduce su***de and support the mental health and wellbeing of communities across NSW.

Read more about how consultation, collaboration and evidence are helping shape future su***de prevention efforts: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/su***de-prevention-month-working-together-prevent-su***de-nsw

28/08/2026

Where you live, what you can afford and what is happening in your life all shape your mental health and your ability to get support. These were strong themes from our consultation with more than 5,500 people and 400 organisations across NSW. People told us about the impact of cost of living and housing pressures, difficulties accessing care in regional communities, and a system that can be difficult to navigate.

The National Mental Health Commission’s National Report Card 2025 shows many of the same challenges at a national level – and highlights significant gaps in what we know about people’s experiences and outcomes.
We need better data to understand what is working, where investment is going, and whether it is making a difference.

As we develop the next 10-year NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform Strategy, we are looking at how stronger outcomes measurement, monitoring and reporting can help drive greater accountability and better outcomes across the system.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4zzJsDY

Read the National Mental Health Commission National Report Card 2025: https://bit.ly/4isMoMA

26/08/2026

New Australian Institute of Health & Wellbeing data reveals that more people are returning to homelessness services for support, while increasing numbers of older Australians are seeking help for the first time.

These findings reinforce what we heard during our What We Heard consultation. Without safe and stable housing, it is much harder for people to maintain their mental health and wellbeing.

The data highlights the growing intersection between mental health challenges and homelessness.

➡️ More than 25,000 people with mental health challenges now access specialist homelessness services each year.
➡️ Almost half of homelessness clients experience mental health challenges, rising from 38% to 45% over 10 years
➡️ The increase in people returning for support, from 38% to 45% between 2015/16 and 2024/25, suggests many are not finding the stable, long-term housing and support they need.
➡️ Older people with mental health challenges are increasingly at risk, with sharp growth in homelessness among people aged 55 and over.

New measures of persistent homelessness show that people experiencing mental health issues are particularly vulnerable to experiencing entrenched housing disadvantage increasing by 19% between 2018/19 to 2024/25.

Our What We Heard Population Profile: People Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Instability captures feedback from people who told us that safe, affordable housing is fundamental to mental health and recovery, and that stronger coordination between housing, mental health and social support systems is essential.

People also highlighted the need to move beyond crisis responses and invest in earlier intervention, coordinated supports and long-term housing stability to help people stay well, connected and housed.

The Commission is combining this data with the experiences shared through our What We Heard report to develop a whole of government strategy for mental health and wellbeing reform in NSW.

Read the population profile: https://bit.ly/4xl5N6J

Find out more in our mental health indicators: https://bit.ly/3UlYTj1

Address

PO BOX 5343
Sydney, NSW
2001

Website

http://www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mental Health Commission of NSW posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.