Mental health focus

With mental illness being a major contributor to the disability burden in Australia, community care provider Care Connect has expanded its commitment to this growing health challenge.

Care Connect chief executive, Paul Ostrowski, has announced the organisation’s program team will now include a full time director of mental health services.

Formerly on the National Mental Health Commission, Rachel Green will begin her role as director of mental health services for Care Connect from Monday, 28 January.

Ms Green joins Care Connect with extensive experience in government and policy development for the ageing and mental health sector.

She will develop Care Connect’s existing mental health services and strategy including liaising with government and peak bodies, developing ongoing policy guidelines for recovery oriented mental health services and supporting programs for staff working in the organisation’s mental health services.

The National Mental Health Commission recently launched A Contributing Life: the 2012 National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

The Report Card stated it was essential mental health was understood as a ‘whole of life’ issue and mental health continued to be a national priority for governments and the community.

“It is vital that socially focused organisations like Care Connect, the National Mental Health Commission, private and non government bodies work together to encourage and support the independence of people facing mental health challenges, enabling them to lead full and contributing lives,” Mr Ostrowski says.

Care Connect is a major community care provider in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria supporting people to live independent lives at home and in the community. View Care Connect’s DPS Profile.