Members’ Policy Forum 2026: Key takeaways from Sydney

It was a huge day on Tuesday at our Members' Policy Forum in Sydney, but I left feeling energised. 

Not because the challenges facing mental health are getting any smaller. In many ways, they're becoming more complex.  

As we discussed throughout the day, communities are grappling with cost-of-living pressures, housing insecurity, increasing levels of violence and discrimination and growing demand for support. Many people are facing multiple, overlapping challenges, and the support they need is becoming increasingly complex. 

At the same time, the policy environment remains challenging, with negotiations on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement under pressure. The recent meeting of federal, state and territory Mental Health Ministers on 23 October offered little clarity, making the next meeting of Health and Mental Health Ministers meeting in December even more important. 

What energised me was that spark that happens when you get more than 110 people face-to-face in a room together. Hearing each other's voices, listening to different perspectives, having real conversations, and being reminded that at our core, we share a common commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing for people and communities. 

As leaders and advocates – including people with lived experience, carers and sector representatives - we discussed what's working, where reform is needed, and how we can continue advocating for change even when things are hard. 

The conversations were honest and constructive. There was frustration about the pace of progress, and fatigue from having to make the case, again and again, for reforms that are long overdue. 

But there was also a clear determination to keep moving forward. To keep advocating. To keep pushing for reform. To keep learning from one another. And to keep working together to achieve better outcomes for people, families and communities. 

Thank you to our speakers and panellists for contributing so generously to the discussion and to our members who attended and shared their insights. I'm proud to be part of a sector that continues to show up, engage constructively and stay focused on improving mental health outcomes. 

If you joined us, I'd love to hear what resonated most with you from the day. 

Mental Health Australia will have more to say about collective advocacy in the coming weeks as together we hold governments to account to deliver the next National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, and the supports communities need.