South Australians told us that greater community awareness and understanding of mental health and wellbeing reduces stigma and shame can improve people’s lives.
Awareness can also increase people’s willingness to help others and to seek help themselves.
The Commission has taken this message to heart and connects South Australians in a unique and positive way. Our networks extend across age groups, sectors, organisations and the community.
The SA Mental Health Commissioner Chris Burns attends and promotes a myriad of local, grassroots and official events and achievements.
These strong connections allow the Commission to promote mental health and wellbeing events and to ‘cross pollinate’ activities, innovations and ideas about mental health and wellbeing.
Commissioner Burns has addressed SA Police; local government, business alliances, Business SA, sporting, rotary clubs, Relationships Australia, multicultural, construction industry, veterans, university, health and homelessness events. The Commissioner is also heavily involved in promoting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of emergency workers and veterans.
The Commission continues to support and promote local theatre groups, art exhibitions and movie nights that carry positive mental health and wellbeing messages.
The SAMHC endorsed Country Arts SA’s production of Euphoria, a play tackling the ongoing stresses and increased self-harm and suicides in regional areas.
A successful collaboration with the History Trust occurred during 2019 History Week and this collaboration will continue with future projects currently under discussion.
Annually, the SA Mental Health Commission also collaborates with the Mental Health Coalition of SA during the annual Mental Health Week activities.
Commissioner Burns also delivered the prestigious Barton Pope Lecture in 2018, addressing the South Australian Branch of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
The SAMHC has contact with hundreds of organisations and communities across SA to promote mental health and wellbeing.
Our Partners
- Country Arts SA
- Veterans SA
- Mates in Construction
- Mental Health Coalition of SA
Links to the SA Mental Health Strategic Plan 2017–2022:
Strategic Direction 1:
Strengthen mental health and wellbeing and prevent mental illness through high impact promotion, prevention and early-in-life intervention strategies.
Strategic Direction 2:
Community education to improve awareness and reduce stigma.
Strategic Direction 5:
Provide the right support for our diverse communities.
For further information: