Established in 1997, t he Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) is the peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector, committed to achieving better mental health for all Australians.

MHCA Members include representatives of mental health service consumers, carers, special needs groups, clinical service providers, public and private mental health service providers and state/territory mental health peak bodies.

The MHCA aims to:

Promote mentally healthy communities
Educate Australians on mental health issues
Conduct research into mental health issues
Reform Australia's mental health system

MHCA STRUCTURE
The MHCA undergoing a restructure. In November 2005 the Board voted to adopt a new MHCA Constitution. It also voted for the Executive under the old Consitution to become the Interim Board to govern the Council until an Extraordinary General meeting is held in April 2006, when an election for the new Board under the new MHCA Constitution will be held.

THE MHCA Interim Board

The 2005 MHCA Interim Board consists of five members, including a consumer and a carer representative, elected in November at the 2005 AGM.

The Chair of the MHCA for 2004- 2005 is Mr Keith Wilson (representing carers). Mr Wilson has been MHCA Chair since 2002, having been re-elected for three consecutive years.

The MHCA Deputy Chair for 2004-2005 Ms Dawn Smith, CEO of Lifeline Australia Inc.

The MHCA Treasurer/Secretary for 2005/06 is Dr Lyn Littlefield, Executive Director of the Australian Psychological Society.

The two Ordinary MHCA Executive Members are:

Ms Ingrid Ozols, Chair of Bluevoices (representing consumers)

The Hon. Rob Knowles, President of the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia

See A Lobbying Success on Mental Health 31 March 2006