A/Prof Brett Emmerson is a psychiatrist and the Executive Director of Metro North Mental Health in Brisbane. He has been managing mental health services since 1987, and has extensive experience and knowledge of mental health service delivery and reform.
As Chair for the next two years, his goals are to represent College members, enhance the role of the psychiatrist in the community, and ensure Queensland’s mental health system is adequately resourced.
A/Prof Emmerson was appointed a Member, Order of Australia (AM) in 2017 for his significant contribution to medicine, particularly to psychiatry, medical administration and contributions to mental health groups.
He was part of the group instrumental in establishing the ‘Stepping Stone Clubhouse’ in Brisbane which provides people with schizophrenia the opportunity to gain work experience for six months at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in order to improve their chances of gaining longer term employment and the psychological benefits that employment brings. He remains on the Stepping Stone Board because he continues to be inspired by the way the staff and members put mental health recovery into practice every day.
He has played a major role in establishing research across Brisbane’s Metro North Mental Health, and he is the author of 48 publications. His research interests include service evaluation and developing bench marking indicators to improve the physical health of the severely mentally ill.
A/Prof Emmerson has been a member of the Queensland Branch Committee for over 20 years and provides the Committee with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. He is also the longest standing member of the Committee.
