Abbe takes on national role with Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue Chair, the Hon Julia Gillard AC, has announced the appointment of Brisbane North PHN’s former CEO Abbe Anderson to the national mental health initiative’s board of directors.

Abbe will join the Beyond Blue board this month ahead of Dr Mukesh Haikerwal’s retirement from his position on the board in September.

In a statement, Beyond Blue paid tribute to Abbe’s innovation during her fourteen years as the CEO of Brisbane North PHN, Metro North Brisbane Medicare Local and the Brisbane North Division of General Practice.

A Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, Abbe has over thirty years’ experience in the public, private and not-for-profit health sectors of Australia, New Zealand and the USA. She holds a PhD in Public Health and Community Medicine from the University of NSW.

Beyond Blue acknowledged her service on numerous governance bodies, including as a member of the Minister for Health's Primary Health Network Advisory Panel on Mental Health and as Chair of the National PHN Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs working group.

“Abbe’s appointment enhances the breadth and depth of experience on the Beyond Blue Board, and her detailed knowledge of primary care and integration of complex systems will help ensure that our strategies have meaningful impact on the ground, in our communities and health care settings,” Ms Gillard said.

“Her appointment demonstrates Beyond Blue’s commitment to working closely and collaboratively with PHNs around Australia to ensure people receive the support they need in the right place at the right time,” she said.

Abbe said she was excited to work with the Beyond Blue board and hoped to share her experience in primary health care to inform positive, person-centred outcomes.

“Our mental health care system is at a point of significant structural reform, and I share Beyond Blue’s commitment to be led by the voice of the community to ensure supports and services are delivered to people when, where and how they need them,” Abbe said.

Other board members include Johanna Griggs AM, Dr Jessica Dean, Paul Howes, the Hon Robert Knowles AO, Dr Jason Lee, Denise McComish, Prof Helen Milroy, Deputy Chair Kate Carnell AO, Russel Taylor AM and Derek Schoen.