We would like to share an opportunity for you to use your lived and living experience (LLE) via the VMIAC Consumer Register.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Access Policy and Triage Guidelines [OPP-2023-003]
The Department of Health is seeking people with lived and living experience (LLE) of seeking support from Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system (MHWB).
About the opportunity: Participate in a virtual workshop or a small group discussion to describe your experience accessing (or being unable to access) the MHWB system, and your experience of mental health triage.
Time commitment: One three-hour workshop (7–9 March) or one 1.5-hour small group discussion (14–28 March). Participants who have attended a workshop or a small group discussion are also invited to attend a feedback session.
Payment: $224 (collaborate half day rate) per workshop/small group discussion.
Background
The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System found evidence that the current mental health and wellbeing (MHWB) system is fragmented, difficult to navigate, and not accessible to all members of the Victorian community. The following recommendations were made:
- Recommendation 6: Helping people find and access to treatment, care and support
- Recommendation 7: Identifying needs and providing initial support in mental health and wellbeing services.
The Department of Health will develop an access policy and new triage guidelines for Local MHWB Services, Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services, and statewide services. Your lived and living experience (LLE) is sought to make the mental health and wellbeing system responsive, safe and consistent.
Engagement Activity
The Department of Health seeks people with LLE as consumers, carers, facilities and supporters to participate in one 3-hour workshop (up to 10 consumers) or a 1.5-hour small group (up to 3 consumers/carers/supporters/family members) discussion. These engagements will expore the following:
- What does an inclusive and accessible service look like?
- What should accessing the future MHWB system feel like?
- Where have you seen a triage processes done well where complex areas have been explored safely?
All workshop and small group discussion participants will be invited to a large reflection forum (for up to 40 participants).
The workshops and forum will also be attended by service providers and organisational representatives (incuding peer workers). All engagements will be facilitated by KPMG.
Download the project supporting information to learn more about this engagement.
Relevant LLE
This opportunity seeks people with lived and living experience (LLE) of seeking support from Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system.
The Department of Health is particularly interested in understanding your experience of accessing (or being unable to access) the MHWB system, as well as your experience of mental health triage.
This opportunity seeks a diversity of perspectives and LLE. EOIs are encouraged from:
- First Nations peoples;
- people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
- people with a refugee/migrant background;
- LGBTQIA+, non-binary and gender diverse communities;
- people living with a disability;
- people identifying as neurodiverse;
- people aged 18–25 years;
- people who are living in regional, rural and remote areas;
- people with LLE of accessing or trying to access youth mental health services;
- people with LLE of accessing or trying to access perinatal or infant mental health services;
- people with LLE of accessing or trying to access mental health services related to eating disorders;
- people with LLE of accessing or trying to access mental health services related to alcohol and other drugs.;
- people with LLE of accessing or trying to access mental health services related to suicidal ideation or behaviour;
- people with LLE of using mental health triage.
Time required
Participants have the option to participate in:
One of three 3-hour long workshops (up to 10 consumers per workshop) below:
- Tue 7 Mar 9:30am – 12: 30pm: MHWB for infant, children and family
- Wed 8 Mar 9:30am – 12: 30pm: MHWB for young people
- Thu 9 Mar 9:30am – 12: 30pm: MHWB for adults (including older adults)
Or, one 1.5-hour long small group discussion (up to 3 consumers/carers/supporters/family members per group) at the times below:
- Tue 14 Mar 1– 2:30pm
- Fri 17 Mar 9:30 – 11:00am
- Tue 21 Mar 11am – 12:30pm
- Thu 23 Mar 2 – 3:30pm
- Fri 24 Mar 9:30 – 11am
- Fri 24 Mar 1:30 – 3pm
- Mon 27 Mar 11:30am – 1pm
- Tue 28 Mar 1 – 2:30pm
All participants of the workshops and small group discussions are invited to join the feedback session in May 2023.
Selection process
VMIAC and KPMG will collaboratively select consumer participants for this opportunity.
Accessibility and Support
To participate in this opportunity, you will need:
- a device with a microphone that can run Microsoft Teams
- a stable internet connection
- a private space or room to work from
- a working phone
All conversations will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Face-to-face discussions can be arranged where possible; please let us know in your EOI if this is your preference.
Participants are encouraged to draw upon on their personal support networks as needed. The following support measures will also be available:
- An optional pre-briefing is available 15-30 minutes before a workshop/small group discussion.
- In-session peer support will be provided.
- Group debriefng sessions will be conducted via over Microsoft Teams between March and June 2023.
VMIAC offers debriefing support to people who are on the VMIAC Consumer Register.
Please let us know in your EOI if there is anything that can be provided to support your participation in this activity.
Contact Person
For more information about the opportunity, please contact Clair Gillingham at MHAccessandTriage@kpmg.com.au.
Questions about the EOI and selection process can be directed to VMIAC at consumerregister@vmiac.org.au.
How to participate
Submit an EOI by clicking on the button below. EOIs will be accepted until 8 am on Wednesday 1 March 2023.
VMIAC aims to provide an outcome by 3 March 2023.
VMIAC acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
