After more than a decade on the board and almost five years at the helm, Lucy Myer has stepped down from her role as chair of SANE and will be replaced by Dr Caroline Aebersold.
At a farewell celebration event in June, SANE donors and supporters, partners and industry sector colleagues joined past and current board members and executives to reflect on Myer’s outstanding contribution.
Myer first joined SANE as a board member in 2014 before serving as chair from 2020 to June 2025. SANE is incredibly grateful for her leadership in helping them champion the voice of lived experience, courageously fighting for equal rights for people living with complex mental health conditions and improving their quality of life through dedicated services and support.
Myer leaves an impressive legacy at SANE, particularly through the visionary leadership she provided as the charity navigated the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her strategic mindset and innovative approach helped SANE not only maintain its services during this period but also position it for further growth.
Since then, SANE has transformed its service offering from grassroots support to becoming a pioneer in digital mental health for the complex mental health community. Its guided recovery program – offering peer support, counselling and community – was among Australia’s first digital psychosocial services.
The recent government investment in this program to roll it out nationally is the first of its kind globally and an enormous step forward when it comes to the accessibility of mental health services for those living with severe mental health conditions.
“I’m deeply proud of the foundations I’ve laid down during my time as SANE Chair,” said Myer. “SANE’s accreditation to the National Safety and Quality in Digital Mental Health Standards is an achievement I’m particularly proud of, making us the first organisation in Australia to gain this important certification.”
Back when Myer joined the SANE board, digital mental health services worldwide were very limited.
“I’m honoured to have had the chance to oversee SANE’s ambitious evolution of digital programs to help bridge the gap in service delivery for people who have historically slipped through the cracks.”
Myer’s tenure will also be remembered for her tireless championing of lived experience in every aspect of SANE’s work, with lived experience a cause close to her heart.
“Knowing I’ve been part of creating a vibrant online community for people living with complex mental health as well as their families and carers is something I’ll always be proud of,” she said. “With more than 1.2 million posts on our SANE Community Forums and our guided recovery services led by peer support, I’m confident SANE will continue to fight stigma and provide the tools for every person to lead a full and contributing life.”
Meanwhile, as SANE’s new chair, Dr Caroline Aebersold brings a wealth of clinical, board and executive experience to the appointment and has served on SANE’s board for the past eighteen months.
“Lucy has made an extraordinary contribution to the growth and impact of SANE and has been a driving force as Chair over many years. She will be greatly missed by us all,” said Aebersold. “I’m honoured to be taking on the board chair role and am excited to support the continued important work of SANE. Having worked in and around the mental health sector for over 30 years, I remain passionate about the importance of providing accessible, responsive and effective support to people who need it most, no matter their circumstances.”
According to Aebersold, SANE has moved the dial in the right direction during this time, but there’s still much more work to do in reducing the stigma and barriers to accessing support, as well as in ensuring that people with more complex mental health needs can receive the support they need when they need it.
“As we look ahead to SANE’s fortieth birthday celebrations next year, there’s a huge opportunity ahead to harness new digital technologies to help people living with complex mental health, as well as their families and carers, to receive meaningful support. I’m committed to helping SANE deliver high-quality, safe and effective digital mental health services at scale,” she said.
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Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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