We are delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Suttie as Chair of TheMHS Board as of December 2025. With over 20 years’ experience across community mental health, homelessness support, and education, Stephen brings a deep commitment to delivering high-quality services. He currently serves as Head of Mental Health Services at New Horizons and has been an active member of the TheMHS Board since 2019, most recently serving as Deputy Chair.
TheMHS is excited for his guidance and support in this new role. We also asked Stephen to share his reflections on his time with TheMHS so far, and look forward to the insights he brings to the Board and the sector.
What has inspired you to be involved with TheMHS, and what keeps you passionate about our mission?
I first became involved with TheMHS in 2016 because no one else put their hand up to volunteer to be on the organising committee for the Sydney Conference for 2017. I didn’t know a lot about TheMHS but knew some people who had been involved in the organisation. Attending the first conference was an eye opener for me, it quickly dawned on me that it was a very egalitarian space where peoples voices were respected and acknowledged and given the same weight. I also heard perspectives I hadn’t been exposed to before in my little work bubble and it resonated with me that this space we were sharing was a very progressive space for conversations about mental health and challenging the status quo.
I was told early on in my leadership journey that “good leadership is about creating the space for others to step in to” and that is something I have tried to live, it’s also more than that.If people only hear one thing I bang on about I hope it is that working in mental health is about looking after people. Whether that is the consumers/patients/participants we encounter or the staff and teams we work with as leaders. Leadership is about creating an environment where people want to come to and participate fully, lifting people up, instilling confidence and helping people to develop and grow.
The community of TheMHS is a wonderful diverse and outspoken bunch. I love the fact that people get to speak their truth and the events are a supportive and contested space. People from all different disciplines, cultures, workplaces and perspectives come together and give so generously of themselves and engage with each other and there is always a positive energy in the room.
I don’t have one memorable moment, although I nearly fell off the stage during the opening of the Brisbane conference in 2025. I really enjoy being surprised by people’s presentations when I hear something I don’t expect or a talk on a topic I hadn’t heard of before. What I remember most though is the interactions I have with people and the people you meet. I find people so interesting and there is always a story to be told and I am always up for chat. Sometimes I feel sorry for the people I bail up because I could talk the leg off a chair.
