Former National Mental Health Commissioner, prominent advocate and business figure Sam Mostyn AO has been appointed Chair of Beyond Blue, one of Australia’s leading mental health and wellbeing support organisations.
At the start of next year, Mostyn will replace Julia Gillard as she steps down from the Beyond Blue Board after nine years– seven of which were as Chair.
“The difficult decision to step down is made somewhat easier knowing I am passing the baton onto a fantastic successor,” said Gillard, who will remain at Beyond Blue as a Patron.
A prominent advocate across many fields, including the not-for-profit sector and gender equality work, Mostyn will take charge of Beyond Blue as the organisation embarks on a new five-year strategic plan and shifts its focus from reducing stigma to delivering services.
CEO of Beyond Blue Georgie Harman said Mostyn’s “vision and clarity” are exactly what the organisation needs as they implement this new strategy.
“We worked together at the National Mental Health Commission, and I’m very excited to be led by and learn from her a decade on,” wrote Harman on LinkedIn about Mostyn.
Her energy, incisiveness, passion for community – especially those who experience the greatest inequity and exclusion – is formidable. She has a deep understanding of the determinants that shape our mental health and that, with strong foundations, we can build mental wealth.”
Throughout her formidable career, Mostyn has held executive positions across business, sport, climate change, the arts, policy and not-for-profit.
She recently led the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, which released a report this year making recommendations for unlocking women’s full and equal economic participation.
Mostyn was also the first woman AFL Commissioner, where she spearheaded the creation of a women’s league.
Ahead of Mostyn replacing Gillard as Chair of Beyond Blue, the pair sat down on Gillard’s podcast, “A Podcast of One’s Own”, to discuss mental health, the importance of truth-telling, gender equality and “how women can succeed in what is often still very much a man’s world”.
If you need mental health support visit Beyond Blue | 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide PreventionIf you need crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14