Eastern Mental Health Service Coordination Alliance

Eastern Mental Health Service Coordination Alliance (EMHSCA) is an inter-agency mental health and wellbeing partnership that works together to improve service coordination in the Eastern Metropolitan Regions of Victoria.

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Background

EMHSCA was formed more than a decade ago to strengthen mental health and AOD service collaboration, coordination and system integration across Inner and Outer Eastern Melbourne for improved consumer outcomes.

EMHSCA has operated within the dynamic landscape of the Victorian mental health system, which has undergone significant changes during this period. Considering the recent system changes and mental health and wellbeing reform, a comprehensive review of the Alliance has been conducted in 2023 to assess its functionality within the new system and identify opportunities for enhancement.

The strengths and potential of EMHSCA were evident throughout the review and stakeholders saw the value in leveraging their existing relationships for collaboration. As a result of the review a new governance and membership structure was introduced and key focus areas have been identified including mental health sector reform, workforce development and collaboration.

EMHSCA is funded by Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN).

Role and objectives

EMHSCA vision is for the communities we serve to receive person-centered, timely and flexible mental health and wellbeing support through effective regional service coordination.

EMHSCA’s purpose is to enhance service integration and communication so that communities can access responsive and appropriate mental health, AOD and wellbeing support.

EMHSCA aims to:

• Improve, support and promote safe, recovery-oriented, person-centered and collaborative practice across mental health sector.
• Promote structured and coordinated Lived Experience Leadership, and workforce development models.
• Support members to navigate mental health system reforms.
• Provide platform for consultation and information sharing.

Member organisations

To ensure strategic focus of the Alliance a two-tiered membership was introduced in 2024.

Tier 1

• Mental health and wellbeing services in the Eastern region (including AOD, homelessness and family violence agencies).
• Focus on specific action areas that require a collaborative approach and support the implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations.

Tier 2

• Broader service system and cross sector members such as local councils, legal, employment and NDIS providers.
• Focus on communication and connection between organisations to build relationships and networks.

The current core members (Tier 1) of the alliance include the following organisations:

Governance

The Mental Health Service Coordination Alliance (MHSCA) Governance Committee has been established to lead strategic direction and to provide operations oversight of EMHSCA and NEMHSCA.

Members on the Governance Committee represent the constituents of EMHSCA and NEMHSCA and are informed by them as well as being responsible for providing direct feedback to them.

The membership of the MHSCA Governance Committee includes:

• Banyule Community Health (funded agency)
• EMPHN (funder)
• EMHSCA Co-chairs
• NEMHSCA Co-chairs
• Lived Experience Advisor – client
• Lived Experience Advisor – carer
• Interim Regional Body Chair (guest)

MHSCA Governance Committee Terms of Reference

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EMHSCA resources

• EMHSC Terms of Reference
• EMHSCA & NEMSCA Overview

EMHSCA embraces diversity

EMHSCA welcomes and celebrates diversity, as we reflect the variety of cultures and communities we serve. Our Alliance strives for true collaborative practice and a spirit of inclusivity for all. EMHSCA recognises that poorer health outcomes are associated with experiences of discrimination and marginalisation. EMHSCA challenges inequities in the development and delivery of health and community services.

Acknowledgement of country

EMHSCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land upon which the Alliance’s work takes place, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and pays respects to their elders past and present and to Aboriginal people present here today.

Recognition of lived experience

EMHSCA recognises those individuals and their supporters who have a lived experience of mental ill health and the important contribution that they make to the development and delivery of health and community services.

Resources and reports

Browse a library of reports, guides and other resources.

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Events and webinars

View free EMHSCA events and webinars.

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EMHSCA shared care

Learn about EMHSCA shared care and access shared care resources.

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EMHSCA research paper IJMHN 2023

Read a published paper on supporting the work that EMHSCA are involved in.

Read the paper