Victoria mental health reform faces stagnation, says psychiatrist

Professor Patrick McGorry, a psychiatrist with 40 years of experience and former chair of the expert advisory committee for the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, has expressed concerns regarding the stagnation of mental health reforms in Victoria, Australia.

Following the 2018 establishment of the Royal Commission to address a broken public mental health system, an advisory committee produced 74 transformational recommendations. While initial efforts included the creation of regional mental health boards, an independent Mental Health Commission, and a new levy to fund rebuilds, McGorry argues that the momentum has since evaporated. He notes that a revolving door of ministers and the marginalization of the issue have hindered the progress originally promised by the bipartisan support and political will seen during the commission's inception.