The consultation sessions are part of the development of a new 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for NSW. Led by the NSW Mental Health Commission and delivered in partnership with First Nations Co., these sessions aim to gather input from individuals, communities, and organisations to ensure the Strategy is grounded in lived experience and community realities. Your feedback will help identify what’s working, what needs to change, and what actions are needed to support better mental health outcomes across the state.

Your experiences and insights matter. Whether you’ve had lived experience, cared for someone, or work in the sector - your voice plays a vital role in shaping a Strategy that reflects the real needs and strengths of NSW communities. Participating in this process is an opportunity to influence how future services are designed and delivered.

The Strategy will guide how mental health services and supports are delivered across NSW over the next decade. It will aim to:

• Improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities
• Promote culturally safe, inclusive, and trauma-aware services
• Strengthen prevention, early intervention, and recovery supports
• Elevate lived experience leadership and peer-based responses
• Support better coordination between government, services, and communities

Anyone with lived experience, community knowledge, or professional insight is welcome to take part. This includes:

• People with lived or living experience of mental health issues or suicidal distress
• Families, carers, and kinship groups
• Community members and Elders
• Workers and leaders in health, education, youth, justice, and social services
• Community-managed organisations, peak bodies, and local initiatives

There are a number of ways to contribute:

• Complete the online survey
• Submit a written response to consultation questions
• Express your interest in attending an in-person or virtual consultation session
• Share your experiences confidentially through our engagement platform

You can choose to participate in whichever way feels most comfortable and accessible to you.

Consultations will explore key issues including:

• Mental health and wellbeing in communities
• Service access, inclusion, and equity
• Suicide prevention and responses to distress
• What meaningful change looks like for individuals, families, and frontline services
• The role of lived experience, peer supports, and community-led initiatives

Yes. All responses will be kept confidential and de-identified. Personal information will not be shared without your consent, and feedback will be reported in aggregate to protect your privacy.

Your input will be analysed and used to inform the design and content of the final Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Feedback will also contribute to the development of an Outcomes Framework that will guide how progress is tracked across the next decade.

Consultation sessions are underway and will continue through mid-2025. A draft Strategy will be developed and tested with stakeholders later in the year. The final Strategy is expected to be released following further review and validation of community input.

Yes. First Nations participants who attend a scheduled consultation session will receive $50.00 compensation in recognition of their time, experience, and contributions. This aligns with First Nations Co.’s Engagement and Participation Guidelines and reflects the value we place on lived experience and community leadership.

No. Other participants, such as professionals or service representatives, will not receive financial compensation, as their participation is considered part of their ongoing roles or organisational responsibilities. We thank you for your support in ensuring this process centres the voices of communities most impacted by mental health challenges.