Mental Health Australia

Our webinar on Delivering Safe, Quality & Culturally Responsive Mental Health Services is coming up soon on 26 March 2025! Don't miss this opportunity to gain information and practical skills to work with clients from refugee and multicultural backgrounds ✍️ Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/ebXFzF_M

Thank you to Andrew Wilkie MP for being the first member of the Australian Parliament to sign Mental Health Australia's (MHA) Sector Sustainability Pledge. Launched last month as part of our federal election platform, Mental Health Australia’s Sector Sustainability Statement outlines seven key actions to improve funding and contracting arrangements to ensure certainty for the community and sector providing mental health support. While existing mental health services are doing an excellent job, they are nevertheless being hampered by resource constraints, poorly designed and executed contracting arrangements, and government red tape. Seven simple, low and no cost changes can fix these problems. We call on Federal Election candidates to pledge to support the Statement and deliver these changes if elected for the next term of government. To find out more and read MHA’s Sector Sustainability Statement, visit: https://ow.ly/nYFw50VhQmg

Rates of mental ill-health among young people increased by 50% between 2007 and 2022, so that now two out of five young people experience a mental health condition in a given year.*     We’re urging all political parties to commit to free mental health care for everyone under 25 as part of their federal election platforms.     Let’s change the trajectory for mental health in Australia this election.     Read more about MHA’s Federal Election Platform 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/gHit_Agu    * Source: ABS (2020-2022). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing [Internet]. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra. 

Great to stand with colleagues across the sector calling for all parties to commit to pathways to free mental health support for children and young people. Bi-partisan commitment to improve access to primary care is welcome, but is only one piece of the puzzle. As Prevention United CEO Suzanne Dick said, “we urge policymakers to adopt a holistic approach to healthcare reform—one that not only improves access but also prioritises prevention. We want to ensure mental health is not just treated but prevented.” Mental Health Australia will continue advocating for commitments this Federal Election to improve access to mental health services and reverse the growing rates of mental ill-health amongst young people. https://lnkd.in/da-FYFz4

Mental Health Australia is urging all political parties to commit to free mental health care for everyone under the age of 25 as part of their federal election platforms.   This ambitious move could change the trajectory for mental health in Australia by investing in accessible care earlier in life, during the most critical phase of growth and development.  With two thirds of mental illnesses emerging by the age of 25, it is essential that any barriers to support are removed to ensure all children and young people can access the care they need to thrive.   The $8.5 billion health package announcement of Federal Labor on Sunday, quickly matched by the Coalition, is a welcome confirmation that universal access to healthcare is a deeply held Australian value across party lines. This will significantly improve equity in access to primary healthcare, with mental health challenges the most common reason people visit a GP.  However, without further changes, the pathway will end there. We need further investment to ensure availability of mental health supports in the community that GPs can refer people to, as well as appropriate alternate pathways online, through schools and walk-in community hubs, so that all children and young people can access the mental health supports they need. Read more about MHA’s Federal Election Platform 2025 here: https://lnkd.in/gHit_Agu

Mental Health Australia extends a warm welcome to Dr Peggy Brown AO, who has today been announced as the incoming Chair of the Mental Health Australia Board. Dr Brown's diverse experience in the mental health sector makes her well placed to lead Mental Health Australia at a time when change is urgently needed. Dr Brown is deeply committed to working closely with people with lived experience, as well as their families, carers, and supporters to ensure their voices are not just raised, but truly heard. Mr Mark Orr AM, who has served as Mental Health Australia's Interim Chair since May 2024, has been appointed Deputy Chair. We thank Mr Orr for his contribution during his time in the role. Read the media release here: https://lnkd.in/gsqeZsY3

In 2024, Mental Health Australia welcomed Federal Budget funding for the National Early Intervention Service (NEIS), a national low-intensity digital mental health service to support people experiencing or at risk of experiencing anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues. The Department of Health and Aged Care is currently seeking feedback on a draft service model and delivery principles for the NEIS in its National Early Intervention Service – Draft Service Delivery Model Consultation. The consultation is open until 20 January 2025. Learn more at the Australian Government’s website: https://lnkd.in/gSvhxPn4

Welcome to a federal election year! Recent polling conducted for Mental Health Australia on Australians’ attitudes to mental health policy shows most voters:  - are concerned about mental health as an issue  - believe the state of mental health in Australia has gotten worse, and   - believe mental health services in their community are inadequate.   Moreover, they see the cost of living crisis as exacerbating an already existing problem.   Our Vision Statement is our guide for parties and political leaders to build the foundations of a mentally health Australia for 2025 and beyond.   Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gyJJH87A  

Mental health services in Australia are overwhelmed, despite rising community demand for action: only 7 per cent of health funding goes to mental health, far below the 15 per cent of health burden it represents.     Our research indicates a strong preference among Australian voters for parties that are committed to increasing mental health funding.    We’ve not only got the community will for meaningful mental health reform – we have a plan to get us there.    Mental Health Australia’s Vision Statement for a mentally healthy Australia simplifies the task of creating a thriving, unified mental health system for Australia's next Government.     Read the Vision Statement, and the research behind it, at our website: https://lnkd.in/gyJJH87A 

Yesterday, we welcomed the Australian Government’s investment into mental health and wellbeing measures through the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook and additional support for NDIS reforms.     But there’s more to be done, and it’s clear that mental health is a major, bipartisan priority for Australian voters ahead of the next federal election, regardless of their political preference.    As the national peak body for mental health, representing more than 140 members nationwide, we are ready to work with parties and political leaders to reform our mental health system, tackle the underlying drivers of mental ill-health and improve access to effective support.    Read our media release here: https://lnkd.in/guTjycxu Learn more about our platform for mental health reform for 2025 and beyond here: https://lnkd.in/gyJJH87A