Mental Health Commissioner Jennifer McGrath has advised the State Government she will step down from the Mental Health Commission (MHC) to take up a new role.
Recruitment is underway for a new Commissioner to lead the organisation, with Ms McGrath stepping down from 26 October 2022.
Ms McGrath – who has been in the role since June 2019 – has decided it is the right time for her to step down, and allow for new leadership for the next phase of maturity of the MHC.
Ms McGrath has provided strong and passionate leadership over recent years, working hard with WA Health, the Health Service Providers, and the community sector to develop and deliver the Government’s commitments to new and expanded services, promote leadership across the sector, and advocate across Government, while ensuring lived experience and consumers are at the heart of the mental health system.
She will take up a Deputy Director General role with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
The Deputy Commissioner of the MHC, Lindsay Hale, will act in the role until a new Commissioner is appointed.
As stated by Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“I want to thank Jen for her efforts in her role as Mental Health Commissioner and for her passionate advocacy for improving outcomes for people experiencing mental ill-health in our community.
“As a Government, we are committed to ensuring Western Australians have access to early interventions – which can change lives for the better – and I am grateful to Jen for her valuable contribution to this shared goal.
“Jen has decided now is the right time for her to accept a new challenge, and she departs with our best wishes.”
