We can help with complaints about your experience with a service, including accessing a service, and treatment and care provided.
It's your right to speak up about your concerns with a public mental health service, and doing so may lead to improvements.
To make a complaint, you can contact us, or contact the service directly. Anyone can contact us to ask a question or discuss options for resolving a complaint.
We work to resolve complaints in ways that safeguard rights, support recovery and improve services.
Read the stories of Rosa, Joshua, Mary and Darren.
The Mental Health Act 2014 provides the legislative framework for the assessment of people who appear to have a mental illness, and the treatment of those experiencing mental illness.
The mental health principles seek to protect the rights and dignity of people receiving mental health services, and place them at the centre of their treatment and care.
A key priority for the MHCC is protecting, promoting and safeguarding the rights of people who access public mental health services.
The MHCC safeguards rights, resolves complaints about Victorian public mental health services, and recommends improvements.
Our vision and principles reflect the objectives of the Act and our consultation with consumers, families, carers and services.
Dr Lynne Coulson Barr is Victoria's first Mental Health Complaints Commissioner.
Our teams share a common commitment to having a positive impact through the work that we do.
MHCC Advisory Council members provide our team with advice across a range of areas, sharing their knowledge, lived experience and expertise.
The MHCC was created by the Mental Health Act 2014 to be a specialist independent complaints body that is accessible, supportive and responsive.
Our policies and procedures have been developed to support our work.
The MHCC is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal and health information.
We welcome applications from people with the knowledge, skills and passion to support us in achieving our goals.
We deliver a range of education and engagement initiatives to support services in achieving a positive complaints culture.
Under the Mental Health Act 2014, all public mental health services are required to provide a twice-yearly complaints report to our office.
Our frequently used terms.
We provide a range of information materials for consumers, families, carers and services.
We provide resources for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and for LGBTI people.
Access the MHCC Annual Report and other key publications.
Watch our videos on our approach, how to make a complaint, and more.
Access our links page for help in locating a particular organisation or service.
Read our latest news stories for an insight into the work that we do.
Keep informed of recent and upcoming MHCC events.
Subscribe to receive our e-bulletin, MHCC News.
To make a complaint, call us on 1800 246 054 (free call from landlines) or 03 9032 3328.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, we encourage you to contact Lifeline's 24-hour support service on 13 11 14.
Your feedback will help guide our work as we learn and develop as an organisation.
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The MHCC took part in a range of activities in support of Mental Health Week (7–13 October) and World Mental Health Day (10 October). These initiatives aim to overcome the stigma that continues...
At the Towards Eliminating Restrictive Practices (TERP) 12th National Forum 2018, Commissioner Lynne Coulson Barr will deliver a keynote presentation on obligations arising from Australia’s...
Commissioner Lynne Coulson Barr will be taking part in The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Conference symposium where mental health commissions and commissioners from Australia and New Zealand reflect...
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Commissioner Lynne Coulson Barr and other MHCC staff proudly joined the Victorian Public Sector contingent for Pride March on 31 January. In the company of the Victorian Premier, the Hon Daniel...
In support of Victorian Seniors Festival, Commissioner Lynne Coulson Barr will be joining other Victorian commissioners, advocates and regulators for New Moves – High Tea, to celebrate and...
On 29 January, we joined the Victorian Public Sector at the 2017 Midsumma Pride March, where we took part in a lively and colourful celebration of difference, acceptance and equality. This year marked...
The MHCC was pleased to support this year’s Mental Health Week (8-14 October), an annual event that provides a range of opportunities for engaging and informing the Victorian community about...
In support of World Mental Health Day (10 October), we held an unveiling of a diverse range of masks created by young artists as part of our youth engagement project, The Different Faces of Mental...
On 28 January, the MHCC marched with the VPS Pride Network contingent at the Midsumma Festival Pride March, celebrating the diversity and solidarity of LGBTI people, and acknowledging the journey...