The SW Sydney Local Health Network held a Mental Health and Well-being symposium on 16th October in Carnes Hill, NSW at which Professor Fran Baum gave a keynote address. In her address she described the extent of mental health inequities and the social determinants of these. She also described what policies are most likely to be compatible with a mentally healthy society.
During the day presentations were made by a wide range of agencies about the work they are doing to support people with mental illness and to promote mental health in the western region of Sydney. These included presentations on employment and mental health. The NDIS, food security, sexuality, legal support and housing advocacy.
The day ended with a panel which included youth, consumer, academic and policy participants which addressed the question of “How do we make change happen?”