Chris Burns became the South Australian Mental Health Commissioner in July 2016.
An experienced advocate and strategic planner, Commissioner Burns is a former military officer and consultant in defence and international relations.
Most recently, he was the CEO of South Australia’s defence industry association successfully campaigning for the Australian Navy’s next fleet of submarines and surface ships to be built in Australia.
He has a passion for improving services and ensuring people with lived experience of mental illness, their families and carers are central to the Commission’s work and ongoing mental health reform.
Commission Burns is taking a whole-of-person, whole-of-life, whole-of-community and whole-of-government approach to the development of South Australia’s Mental Health Strategic Plan. In leading this key task of the Commission, his focus is firmly on strengthening the mental wellbeing of South Australians.