New Mental Health Commissioner appointed for next five years

• Maureen Lewis appointed as Mental Health Commissioner
• Commission facilitates delivery of more than $1 billion of critical alcohol and other drug and mental health services each year
• Acting Commissioner Lindsay Hale acknowledged for his outstanding contribution

Maureen Lewis has been appointed as Mental Health Commissioner for a five-year term.

Ms Lewis has a proven track record of leading and driving change, and throughout her career she has worked in significant leadership roles within the mental health sector.

She has previously held the role of Assistant Commissioner Policy, Planning and Strategy at the WA Mental Health Commission (MHC), Deputy and Interim Chief Executive Officer at the National Mental Health Commission and was most recently the Executive Director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health services at the Child and Adolescent Health Service.

From 1 July 2023, Ms Lewis will be responsible for leading the State's efforts to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Western Australians. Improving coordination, accountability and outcomes will be a priority.

This includes continuing to ensure lived experience is embedded into the work of the MHC and across the mental health, alcohol and other drug sector while implementing the Government's priorities including improving access to community-based care.

Deputy Commissioner of the MHC, Lindsay Hale, has been acting in the role of Commissioner since October 2022 while an extensive recruitment process was undertaken.

During this time, Mr Hale made an invaluable contribution to the lives of Western Australians through his stewardship of the MHC.

The MHC facilitates delivery of more than $1 billion of critical alcohol and other drug and mental health services every year, while also working to future-proof WA's mental health system.

Comments attributed to Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Maureen Lewis brings a wealth of experience to the role of Mental Health Commissioner, including in the youth mental health space.

"We share a commitment to ensuring lived experience is at the heart of our mental health system and expanding services where we need the most - in the community."