“Providing an understanding of mental health consumer and carer needs, issues and solutions.”
The National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) is a combined national voice for mental health consumers and carers. We listen, learn, influence and advocate in matters of mental health reform.
The NMHCCF was established in 2002 by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council and reports to Australian Health Ministers through the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Principal Committee.
Funding is provided by the Australian Government and state and territory governments.
NMHCCF members represent mental health consumers and carers on a large number of national bodies, including government committees and advisory groups, professional bodies and other consultative forums and events.
Members use their lived experience, understanding of the mental health system and communication skills to advocate and promote the issues and concerns of consumers and carers.
The NMHCCF has 28 members of which 14 are mental health consumers and 14 are mental health carers. These members comprise:
- one consumer and one carer representative nominated by each state and territory; and
- consumer and carer representatives from each of the following national projects/organisations:
- blueVoices, the consumer and carer reference group for Beyond Blue
- Carers Australia
- Consumers Health Forum of Australia
- Grow Australia
- Mental Health Carers Australia
- Lived Experience Australia
- Embrace Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Mental Health Consumer and Carer Group
The NMHCCF representatives are:
| ACT Consumer |
Paul Thompson |
| ACT Carer |
Joanna Bartholomaeus |
| NSW Consumer |
Daya Henkel (Deputy Consumer Co-Chair) |
| NSW Carer |
Eileen McDonald |
| NT Consumer |
Helen Day (Consumer Ordinary Exec Member) |
| NT Carer |
Rosalyn Havard (Deputy Carer Co-Chair) |
| QLD Consumer |
Jordan Frith |
| QLD Carer |
Cindy Heddle (Carer Ordinary Exec Member) |
| SA Consumer |
Lyn English |
| SA Carer |
Sarah Sutton |
| TAS Consumer |
Monica Hastings |
| TAS Carer |
Aislin Gleeson |
| VIC Consumer |
Keir Saltmarsh |
| VIC Carer |
Katrina Clarke |
| WA Consumer |
Carli Sheers |
| WA Carer |
Vacant |
| blueVoices Consumer |
Shannon Calvert (Consumer Co-Chair) |
| blueVoices Carer |
Andrew Pryor |
| Carers Australia |
Peter Heggie |
| Consumers Health Forum of Australia |
Heather Nowak |
| Grow Australia |
Vacant |
| Mental Health Carers Australia |
Kerry Hawkins (Carer Co-Chair) |
| Lived Experience Australia Consumer |
Fi Peel |
| Lived Experience Australia Carer |
Sharon Lawn |
| Embrace CALD Consumer |
Lew Ching Yip |
| Embrace CALD Carer |
Vacant |
