A key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the new Act supports changes underway to transform Victoria’s mental health system. These changes will deliver a new system where Victorians receive the care they need early, and in their community.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 promotes good mental health and wellbeing for all Victorians.
It has new rights-based principles that promote the values, preferences and views of Victorians with mental illness or psychological distress. The new principles guide how service providers should deliver assessment, treatment, care and support.
As primary providers of mental health care, general practitioners will continue to have an important role in the mental health and wellbeing system. General practitioners play a crucial role in providing primary mental health care and connecting consumers with appropriate mental health and wellbeing services.
The Victorian Department of Health has developed a suite of resources to assist the mental health and wellbeing workforce to understand the changes from the previous Mental Health Act 2014 and understand their obligations and responsibilities under this new legislation.
This information can be found on the Department’s dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 page: Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 | health.vic.gov.au
One of these resources to support the sector is an interactive eLearn package comprising four modules to assist the workforce in interpreting various aspects of this new legislation. Modules range from approximately 10-30 minutes to complete and include useful learning checks throughout.
To access the eLearn product register for, or sign in to, your MHPOD account, then then navigate directly to the Mental health and Wellbeing Act 2022 modules here.
The Victorian Department of Health has published a range of resources to support implementation of the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act:
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Gippsland PHN acknowledges the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s as the traditional Custodians of Country across the Gippsland region.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s continuing connection to Land, Water and Community.
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People/s, Cultures, and their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
