What impact have the reforms from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System had on consumers?
That’s what Mind Lived Experience Researchers are hoping to learn more about, in a research project funded by the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC).
The research project has been created to better understand the progress and impact of these reforms for people who use - or choose not to use - mental health services in Victoria. The results will inform a report on the experience of the mental health reforms for Consumers and support advocacy for further improvements.
Anyone who has had experiences accessing (or choosing not to access) mental health services in Victoria is invited to complete a brief survey, as part of the research project. We are seeking people with lived experience of distress or mental health challenges who would like to share their insights and experiences.
Participating in this research involves completing a structured online survey. Consumers can also choose to participate in either a focus group or an interview, led by peers with lived experience. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete; the focus group is expected to take no more than two hours, and the interviews are expected to take no more than one hour. Participation is completely voluntary. Those who participate in a focus group or an interview will be reimbursed $180 in recognition of their time and expertise.
The survey is open for a few months until sufficient data collected. We encourage you to participate soon!
For more information and to participate in the survey, please follow this link
This project has human research ethics approval from The University of Melbourne (Project ID: 2025-34146-74200-3).
More about the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
The Victorian Government requested a Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, because it recognised the system was not adequately responding to the needs of consumers, and many people were not able to access suitable services when they needed them. A Royal Commission took place, and a total of 74 specific recommendations were made for system-wide reforms. The Victorian Government committed to these changes in 2021. Details of these reforms can be found here.