New Mental Health Commissioner to help drive key priority

Queensland has named a new Mental Health Commissioner to help strengthen the delivery of integrated care across government and the community sectors.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Cameron Dick, said mental health expert Ivan Frkovic had been appointed as Commissioner for a period of three years from 1 July 2017, following a merit selection process.

Mr Frkovic, was most recently Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Operations, for Aftercare – an organisation helping people who are, or have been, experiencing mental illness or have intellectual disabilities. He also has extensive academic and government experience, including holding the positions of Director, Mental Health Programs and Reforms in the Department of Communities and a director within the Mental Health Branch of Queensland Health.               

“Mr Frkovic has substantial policy, academic and patient-centred experience that makes him an ideal choice for the role,” Mr Dick said.

 “His experience in senior strategic roles is complemented by his extensive work in the community sector.

 “Mr Frkovic’s experience across government and non-government organisations will be a valuable in bringing all sectors together to focus on delivering better mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.”

 The Queensland Mental Health Commission launched on July 1, 2013, under the provisions of the Queensland Mental Health Commission Act 2013.

 Its main object is to develop a whole-of-government strategy to address systemic mental health, alcohol and other drugs issues. This includes coordinating an integrated approach to innovation, knowledge sharing, and evidenced-based policy and practice, and raising community awareness.

 Mr Dick also thanked the outgoing Mental Health Commissioner, Dr Lesley van Schoubroeck, for her work as  Queensland’s first Mental Health Commissioner

 “Dr Van Schoubroeck was instrumental in establishing the Commission and setting the strategic agenda for mental health in Queensland,” he said.

 “Under her leadership of the Commission, Queensland implemented the Commission’s first Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Strategic Plan.

 “Dr Van Schoebroeck also drove the adoption of four critical action plans in relation to suicide prevention, early action, alcohol and other drugs, and rural and remote mental health and wellbeing.”

 Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834