Denise Cumming, Mind Australia’s recently appointed Executive Director of Operations for New South Wales, is excited to be part of the 2026 One Door Mental Health Symposium this month. Denise will be welcoming attendees, making some opening remarks and is looking forward to participating in the interactive panel discussions through the day long program.
The Symposium is such an important opportunity to hear directly from people who access services, families, carers, clinicians, advocates, and sector leaders about the issues most impacting the New South Wales mental health system,” Denise said.
“We are thrilled to have the NSW Minister for Health, The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, with us again this year, to provide the Minister’s Address and participate in an interactive panel discussion about the NSW mental health system. I know from last year’s Symposium how valuable this forum is for people personally impacted by mental health challenges to share their perspectives and influence broader conversations about reform, recovery, and community wellbeing.”
The theme of this year’s Symposium is Shaping Community Together: Lived Experience and Innovation in Mental Health, with the program highlighting emerging service models, research, and partnerships that are strengthening community mental health responses across Australia.
“Mind’s Research team will present five years of outcomes data highlighting the positive impact PARCS and Step Up Step Down services are having across Australia,” Denise said. “Importantly, the discussion will also bring those outcomes to life through lived experience perspectives, including a young person who has transitioned from accessing the service to working within the model as a Peer Practitioner, alongside Evelyne Tadros, CEO of the Mental Health Coordinating Council NSW (MHCC), who will share insights on the future of community-based mental health care and psychosocial support in New South Wales.”
“These short-term residential supports are a unique partnership between clinical and community based services. In my time as Executive Director of Operations for Queensland I have seen first-hand what a powerful impact their recovery supports can have for people.”
Denise said a presentation about a new residential support service opening in Victoria this year that is entirely run and staffed by people with lived experience promises to be equally stimulating.
Denise also highlighted the growing importance of safe, stable housing as part of recovery-oriented mental health support, particularly as housing insecurity continues to impact many people across NSW.
“Access to safe and secure housing is fundamental to mental health recovery and social connection,” she said.
“Mind and Haven Foundation currently have two new Haven Housing with Support services being developed in New South Wales, which will provide people living with significant mental health challenges access to long-term housing combined with flexible psychosocial supports tailored to their goals and needs. These models are designed to help people sustain tenancies, strengthen independence, reduce social isolation, and build meaningful lives within their communities.”
One Door and Mind merged in 2024, bringing together two organisations dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of people living with significant mental health challenges. Denise said the One Door Symposium reflects the shared commitment of the two organisations to providing comprehensive services driven by lived experience, research, and other evidence-informed practices.
“We share similar values and a passion to create a more person-centred, human rights focused mental health system. Events like this are such a good opportunity to bring together people living with mental health challenges, their families and supporters, researchers, advocates, policy makers and other mental health professionals together, to share ideas and reflect on our partnerships.”
The One Door Mental Health Symposium will be held on Wednesday 20 May at Hotel Mercure Sydney. For more information and to book tickets, visit our Eventbrite page.