Dunedin mental health services advocate Jim Crowe has been appointed to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' general council, its first community representative.
The two-year appointment, which could be renewed for up to six years, followed an interim appointment from November 2010 to May 2011.
Although the college had community representation at committee level, Mr Crowe's appointment to the governing body as an "observer" was a first.
Mr Crowe said he would remind the council of its duty to "the people".
"It's to remind them who they're there for - it's people."
RANZCP president Dr Maria Tomasic said Mr Crowe's "frank views" were valued in council meetings.
RANZCP community collaboration committee chairman Dr Wayne Miles said Mr Crowe was a strong advocate of client and carer involvement in mental health planning and policy development, both in New Zealand and overseas.
