Women’s Health Victoria has released a new issues paper exploring how gender-responsive approaches are being applied across Victoria’s mental health system — and what’s needed to embed them more deeply as reform continues.
'Promising practices in gender-responsive mental health care: insights from the Victorian sector' brings together evidence, practice examples and sector insights to highlight approaches that better support women (cis and trans inclusive) and gender diverse people to access safe, equitable and effective mental health care.
The paper is released at a critical moment, as Victoria continues to implement wide-ranging mental health reforms following the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
About the paper
The report explores how gender inequity shapes mental health experiences and outcomes, and why gender-responsive principles must be foundational — not optional — in mental health policy, service design and system reform.
It draws on:
- sector-nominated case studies from across Victoria
- a 2024 desktop review of national and international literature
- a sector roundtable held in September 2025, bringing together 23 participants from 14 mental health organisations to test findings and consider policy implications
Together, these inputs highlight both promising practices already underway and the structural gaps that continue to limit progress.
Key themes and insights
The paper identifies several consistent themes across policy, service delivery and system reform.
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Addressing structural and systemic drivers of poor mental health: Poverty, insecure housing, discrimination and gender-based violence are deeply connected to mental health outcomes. The paper reinforces that meaningful reform must address these drivers alongside clinical responses.
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Centring Lived and Living Experience and expertise: Genuine co-design, leadership and evaluation led by people with Lived and Living Experience and expertise is essential. The report calls for a shift away from tokenistic consultation towards shared decision-making and accountability.
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Recognising intersectionality and diversity: Gender-responsive mental health care must respond to intersecting factors such as culture, disability, sexuality, age and migration status. One-size-fits-all approaches risk entrenching inequity rather than reducing it.
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Trauma- and violence-informed, person-centred care: Service models that prioritise safety, choice, dignity and autonomy — and that acknowledge the impacts of trauma and violence — lead to better experiences and outcomes.
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Embedding gender equity at a system level: Without system-wide change, progress remains fragmented. The paper highlights the role of gender impact assessments, leadership accountability and cross-sector collaboration in sustaining reform.
Recommendations for policy and practice
The paper outlines five key recommendations:
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Embed intersectional gender-responsive principles across all mental health policies, programs and services.
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Centre Lived and Living Experience and expertise in co-design, leadership and evaluation.
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Strengthen and adequately resource community-based, culturally safe and accessible services for priority populations.
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Address structural drivers of mental ill-health, including poverty, housing insecurity, discrimination and gender-based violence.
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Advance system-level reform through gender impact assessments, leadership accountability and cross-sector partnerships.
Why this matters
As mental health reform continues, this paper provides timely guidance on how gender equity can be practically embedded — not just articulated — across the system. It offers concrete insights for policymakers, service providers, funders and advocates working to create mental health care that is equitable, inclusive and sustainable.