The Mental Health Council of Tasmania (MHCT) is the peak body representing the interests of the community mental health sector including consumer, carer and service provider organisations.

We provide a public voice for people affected by mental illness and interested organisations and individuals.

We advocate for and influence effective public policy on mental health for the benefit of the Tasmanian community.

Our Vision

A vibrant and effective community mental health sector in Tasmania

We will achieve this by contributing to a community based on human rights principles in which mental health and wellbeing are supported.

We do this by:

Building capacity within the sector.
Educating the community about health and wellbeing
Advocating a population health approach
Providing leadership in public mental health policy

Values and Beliefs

Our actions are based on these values:

Optimism and empowerment
Participation, collaboration and partnerships
Autonomy, responsibility and accountability

The following important beliefs underpin our work:

Every person has the right to achieve their full potential and be able to participate meaningfully in their community.
The collective efforts of individuals and organisations working together to improve mental health across the whole community are more effective than isolated efforts.
All people have the right to make decisions about their health and wellbeing.
Recovery of mental health is possible. This is assisted by a positive recovery-focused approach by all those involved.
Effective public policy and its implementation will foster pathways to social inclusion for those living with mental illness.

Key Strategic Areas

Ensuring the Sustainability of the MHCT

Influencing Relevant Social Policy

Strengthening the Sector

Measures of Success

Adequate funding for current operation and future growth.
A diverse, skilled and representative board.
A representative and engaged membership.
Effective stakeholder management.
An adequately resourced, skilled and motivated workforce.
Partnerships and collaborations that support the strategic objectives of MHCT.
Submissions and/or recommendations initiated by the MHCT that influence social policy.
Participation on committees and working groups.
An engaged membership who participate in the policy process.
Promotion and adoption of recovery oriented culture and practice.
Increased opportunity for workforce development.
Community awareness campaign to reduce mental illness stigma and discrimination.
Increased consumer and carer participation.

Major Strategies

Major strategies related to ensuring sustainability, responding to social policy and strengthening

the sector;

Maintain a dynamic stakeholder management strategy.
Identify, develop and maintain collaboration and partnership opportunities.
To achieve the MHCT’s objectives, develop and sustain an adequately resourced competent board and workforce.
Identify and pursue funding for social inclusion, promotion, prevention and early intervention and workforce development.
Develop and maintain a broad membership.
Lobby government to gain and maintain adequate peak body funding.
Consult with stakeholders and conduct research to inform and influence public policy.
Adopt a population health and wellbeing approach to guide lobbying and contribution to policy development.
Advocate for and contribute to the reduction of stigma within the community and promotion of social inclusion.
Promote and support opportunities for networking and partnership development.
Reorientate the sector to a recovery focus and whole of population health and wellbeing approach.
Encourage contemporary best practice in the community mental health sector.
Advocate for opportunities for consumer, family and carer participation.
Advocate for and support a workforce development strategy for the community mental health sector.
Advocate for and facilitate the implementation of the promotion, prevention and early intervention framework.