The Victorian Government is delivering on a key recommendation made by the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System - collecting and expanding data on the mental health workforce to help reshape the system.
The state's specialist mental health workforce is being encouraged to participate in a census that will help the Victorian Government understand how best to meet workforce needs for the future and will collate vital information about the workforce across all locations, disciplines, settings and sub-specialties.
Services are being asked to join the census, contributing their total number of full-time equivalent staff, headcount, and vacancy numbers for all staff employed in various specialities - including all service delivery disciplines, education, administration, and management positions.
Information sessions have been scheduled during the census period to give workers and services an opportunity to discuss any questions or to find out more about the project.
The census was produced with guidance from an advisory group of mental health sector leaders, unions representatives, and workforce data specialists.
Conducted by the Department of Health, census data will be finalised and released later this year and will help shape the Mental Health Workforce Strategy, to be published by the end of 2021.
A second opt-in Workforce Personnel Survey is also being planned later in 2021 for individual members of the workforce to confirm information like demographics, experience, and their own wellbeing - making sure the state's workforce is at the heart of all mental health reform in Victoria.
To build a new mental health and wellbeing system from the ground up that meets the needs of all Victorians, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 invested a record $3.8 billion in mental health and wellbeing services and support.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health James Merlino
"Victorians can't get the right treatment, care and support without the right workforce -this census will help us understand and better support our workforce, and plan for the future."
"We know the mental health system is under pressure - that's why we are fixing it. Better data about the workforce will help make sure we're building the right services across Victoria."
