The task of major mental health reform with Marcelle Mogg, CEO Mental Health Victoria

As all of us who work in mental health, and access services know, the service system is hard to navigate. I liken it to a bowl of spaghetti. Truly, that’s what it looks like at times.

Unravelling the threads and making it less messy is the huge challenge and opportunity of what’s happening in Victoria right now as we all work together to implement the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Our guest for our latest episode of Get Real Podcast knows this only too well and her role is crucial as we strive for a world class mental health system in Victoria.

Marcelle Mogg is the CEO of Mental Health Victoria (MHV), the peak body for mental health and wellbeing in this state. MHV brings together the broad community of service providers and connects them in a way that services couldn't do on their own.

Marcelle talks to us about what’s happening at the moment from her view and what it’s like to be heading MHV at this unprecedented time in mental health reform Victoria.

“It is the first time in, quite literally, 20 to 30 years that there has been some agreement as to what we should be working towards achieving,” Marcelle said.

I agree - this is a once in a generation opportunity to build a world class mental health system. This is an incredibly exciting moment in our Victorian history, to do something really radical and necessary, but it is daunting because the degree of change that's required is immense, the complexity is entrenched. What can i say? I am excited, and nervous all at the same time.

Chatting with Marcelle, she agreed.

“I don't think there's any disagreement about what it is that we want, but there's going to be a lot of disagreement about how we get there. I think that's where the daunting part of the challenge comes in.”

It’s a great, candid conversation and I couldn't agree more with Marcelle's sentiments. This moment in time is a call to action to the broader mental health sector - and a challenge for each and every one of us in the privileged position to lead an organisation.

Come together, collaborate, innovate and build a world class mental health system, one where people get access to the treatment and support that they need, when they needed it and where they need it.