Rabbi Mendel Kastel appointed to National Mental Health Commission
The National Mental Health Commission advisory board will be strengthened with the appointment of four new members including the CEO of Sydney’s Jewish House Rabbi Mendel Kastel.
Rabbi Mendel Kastel
The commission will continue to drive better support for the four million Australians who experience some form of chronic or episodic mental health condition each year
Lucy Brogden will continue to lead the advisory board in her role as Chair, with the new members boosting the female representation to more than three-quarters of the board.
The new appointees bring expertise and stakeholder perspectives across a broad field of issues, including suicide prevention, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health, lived experience as carers and consumers, research, youth mental health and social services.
Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt also pledged the Federal Government’s support for the National Communications Charter — a unified approach to mental health and suicide prevention.
The Charter will help guide people working in the sector to tackle mental illness and prevent suicide in our community by reinforcing the importance of providing clear, consistent and evidence-based information.
Greg Hunt said: “This charter will guide organisations, individuals and groups in Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention sector on ways to promote awareness of mental health and suicide prevention and how to encourage people to seek help in a clear and consistent way.
I am absolutely committed to providing more support the four million Australians that experience some form of chronic or episodic mental health condition each year.
We recently boosted our support by an extra $338 million of mental health funding, with a focus on greater suicide prevention services, more support for older Australians and advancing the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan.”
Rabbi Mendel Kastel told J-Wire: “This a great honour and gives me the opportunity to speak with all organisations nationally. I will focus on the impact of homeliness on those with mental health problems.”
The appointment is for two years.
