This critical literature review of the adverse effects of neuroleptic drugs was commissioned by the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) in 2017 under the auspices of Mental Health Australia.

This guide provides information about antipsychotic drugs, how they work, the evidence base supporting their use, the risks they carry, and alternative responses to psychosis in order to promote informed decision making. It is not intended as medical or professional advice. We encourage you to use this guide not as the definitive resource but as a starting point to embark on your own research and learning.

Further information can be sourced via the Critical Literature Review of the Direct, Adverse Effects of Neuroleptics: Essential Information for Mental Health Consumers, Carers, Families, Supporters and Clinicians https://nmhccf.org.au/our-work/nmhccf-library/other-publications

The National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum (NMHCCF) has identified privacy and confidentiality as matters of great concern for mental health consumers and carers.

Definitions of privacy, confidentiality and information sharing are provided in this Position Statement, together with explanations of the role of legislation and the influence of professional codes of conduct. While the NMHCCF acknowledges these constraints, we challenge the way the concepts are frequently applied and support a tripartite approach, where information is shared between individual consumers, carers and clinicians.

 

This Position Statement was developed by the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum in 2010 in recognition of the opportunities that arise from developing and supporting the mental health consumer and carer identified workforce. It is important this development and support takes place within a workplace framework that strives to maximise the productivity of all its employees. However, the mental health consumer and carer identified workforce is the primary focus of this Position Statement.

For the purpose of this Position Statement the mental health consumer and carer identified workforce includes only those consumer and carer workers whose position description specifies that they have a lived experience. This Position Statement also proposes that consumer and carer expertise can only be provided by people with a lived experience and other relevant skills.

In 2004, the then National Consumer and Carer Forum (NCCF) developed this document as a guide for all organisations involved with mental health within the public, private and non-government sectors, to utilise in the development and/or implementation of consumer and carer participation policies. This Policy aims to cover all levels of participation, and includes consumer and carer input at individual, local, state, and national levels.

The document is intended as a best practice example of a consumer and carer participation policy and may be adopted by any organisation. However, it is recognised that this document may need to be adapted to local or organisational needs.

These Operating Guidelines provide an overview of the governance and operational information to enable the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) to best meet its Terms of Reference. The document also supports the auspicing arrangements between the NMHCCF and Mental Health Australia, ensuring accountability for contractual and financial matters and other compliance obligations.

It is intended as an initial and central reference point for governance and operational matters.