Mental Health Co-Ordinating Council Limited

Mental Health Co-Ordinating Council Limited (MHCC) is a leading nonprofit organisation and the peak body for community-managed mental health organisations in New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1983, MHCC aims to support and strengthen the community mental health sector by advocating for systemic reforms, providing capacity-building resources, and delivering workforce training and development programs.

Purpose and Mission

MHCC champions community-based mental health services to improve outcomes for people living with mental health conditions. The organisation supports a strong and sustainable community-managed mental health sector that delivers effective health, psychosocial, and wellbeing programs tailored to the needs of the people in New South Wales. MHCC provides policy leadership, promotes reform, and offers sector-leading resources and tools to enhance service quality and effectiveness.

Activities and Services

MHCC's activities include:

• Advocacy to government and key decision-makers to influence mental health policy and funding.
• Delivery of quality training for the mental health workforce, informed by recovery-oriented and trauma-informed principles.
• Development of highly regarded learning pathways, with training options available online and across New South Wales.
• Provision of policy information and conducting research to support evidence-based practices within the community mental health sector.
• Capacity building for community-managed organisations to assist them in delivering quality services.

Their training programs are designed to meet current workforce needs and are delivered by experienced trainers, many of whom have lived experience of mental health challenges.

Focus Populations

MHCC primarily serves adults aged 25 and over, including older adults, and extends its support to families and communities affected by mental health issues. The organisation values the input and involvement of people with lived experience, ensuring their perspectives shape mental health services and policies.

Governance and Status

As a registered not-for-profit entity, the Mental Health Co-Ordinating Council operates with an ABN of 59279168647RR0001. It is recognised as a medium-sized charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

Impact and Recognition

MHCC is highly regarded within the mental health sector in New South Wales for its leadership role and commitment to community mental health. It plays a critical role in the sector by coordinating efforts among community organisations, advocating for systemic long-term reform, and enhancing workforce capabilities to better support people living with mental health conditions.

This summary reflects information current as of 2025 and highlights MHCC's contributions to community mental health coordination and advocacy in Australia.

[1] https://mhcc.org.au [2] https://mhcc.org.au/who-we-are/what-we-do/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/7fa4131b-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/profile [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/7fa4131b-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/documents/c515fd83-d39d-ed11-aad1-002248933dda [5] https://lifeinmind.org.au/organisations/mental-health-coordinating-council-mhcc