COTA SA welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Bill 2025.

We strongly support the extensive consultation process that has underpinned the review and development of the Bill and are pleased to have contributed to it. We particularly welcome the human-rights approach that forms the foundation of this reform, and the commitment to lived experience and codesign.

As the South Australian population continues to age, it is critical that the voices and experiences of older people are clearly and deliberately included throughout the implementation of the Bill. Older people can experience the mental health system in distinct ways — as consumers, as carers, and as family members — and they may hold preferences for how they communicate, access services, and make decisions that differ from younger generations.

In our submission, we have focused on areas where we can meaningfully contribute to improving mental health outcomes for older South Australians, with particular attention to: supported decision-making, restrictive practices, the dementia/mental health interface, and service integration.

We support and work closely with the Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS), Dementia Australia, and other sector partners, and broadly endorse their submissions, including ARAS’ recommendation to include a principle recognising the distinct experiences of older people within the mental health system.

We note, too, that people living with mental health conditions may also be experiencing cognitive decline or dementia, frailty and sensory impairments. There must be clear definitions and distinctions between dementia and mental health conditions, and how these conditions may intersect to ensure responsive, person-centred care.