Our Experience Matters Advisory Committee discussion page

Mental Health is one of the key priority areas South Western Sydney PHN is working to improve. We achieve this by co-designing and commissioning mental health services to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups and address service gaps in the region. These include:

• Low intensity services for early intervention
• Child and youth mental health services
• Psychological therapies for underserviced groups
• Primary mental health care services for people with severe mental illness
• Regional suicide prevention
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health services.
• Psychosocial support services
• Regional mental health and suicide prevention planning

South Western Sydney highly values the insight and ideas mental health consumers and people caring for consumers are able to contribute to our work.

With this recognition we are inviting additional membership for the PHN’s Our Experience Matters Advisory Committee.

The committee convenes at bi-monthly meetings which are currently being held via a blended model of face-to-face (held at the Campbelltown office) and “Zoom” virtual conferencing platform. Participants are remunerated for their attendance at meetings.

Submit your expression of interest to become a committee member by COB Wednesday, 30 June 31 July 2021

We are looking for people with lived experience who:

• Would like to contribute to Mental Health planning in South Western Sydney
• Have creative ideas around what makes an ideal Mental Health service
• Are looking to be part of an enthusiastic group who will lend their experience to drive real change

We would particularly like to hear from people who identify as one of the following

• Culturally and linguistically diverse
• LGBTQI+
• Peer Workers
• Youth

If this sounds like you and you would like to express your interest to be involved in this group please complete the short questions on the following page and return them to luke.swain@swsphn.com.au.

You can also feel free to post your completed expression of interest to PO Box 90 Macarthur Square NSW 2560 and address this to Luke Swain.

If you should have any questions about this reference group or expression of interest, please call David Donatini on 02 4632 3023.

About South Western Sydney PHN

South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) is a not-for-profit health organisation, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, dedicated to supporting general practitioners, practice nurses and other primary health providers to deliver the best possible care for their patients and improve access to quality local health care for the whole community.

Servicing seven local government areas of Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee, SWSPHN is one of 31 Primary Health Networks across Australia aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health services delivered in our region.

We are doing this by supporting local clinicians; understanding the health care needs and service gaps in our community through planning and consultation; and by focusing on improving access to primary care services for patients, particularly those in our community at risk of poor health outcomes.