On 16 June 2026, staff from Alfred Mental and Addiction Health (AMAH)—including clinicians and lived/living experience workers—gathered at the Victorian Pride Centre to launch the CSEA Strategic Direction 2026-2028.
A Response to the Royal Commission
The Strategic Direction responds to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. It outlines a roadmap for embedding culturally responsive practices across leadership, governance, workforce development, community engagement, and service delivery.
A Shift from Competence to Humility
The strategy emphasizes cultural humility rather than cultural competence.
"Expecting staff to master knowledge of all cultures is unrealistic and places unnecessary pressure on them. Instead, the focus is on cultivating cultural humility."
— Erin Joyce, AMAH Senior Lead for Cultural Safety, Equity and Access
Taff Ruvaro, Cultural Safety, Equity and Access Advisor, explained that cultural humility positions healthcare workers as learners, encouraging curiosity and receptiveness to consumers' experiences.
"Cultural humility encourages staff to learn from consumers rather than claiming expertise in all cultures."
— Taff Ruvaro
The Four Strategic Pillars
The strategy is built on four strategic pillars, each with clearly defined goals, objectives, rationales, measures of success, accountable leads, strategic allies, and expected outputs.
A Core Business, Not a Periphery
At the launch, A/Prof Simon Stafrace, Program Director, made a defining statement on the organization's approach:
"Cultural safety, equity, and access are core business, not peripheral concerns."
— A/Prof Simon Stafrace
Accessing the Full Document
The full Strategic Direction document is available online (link provided in the original article).