Joint open letter urging investment to address unmet need for psychosocial support 

On Monday 26 May 2025, Mental Health Australia and all state and territory mental health peak bodies wrote to all Health and Mental Health Ministers encouraging decisive action on investment in psychosocial support outside the NDIS to meet need. In line with a Statement developed with Mental Health Australia members, the letter calls for Health and Mental Health Ministers, at their upcoming meeting, to:

• recommend to National Cabinet that it agree a funding envelope for a 50:50 cost share arrangement to increase investment in psychosocial supports over a five-year period to meet need; and
• commit to a public consultation process to design future psychosocial support arrangements. 

We know that 493,600 people across Australia are missing out on the psychosocial support they need and deserve. It is now nine months since Australian governments released analysis quantifying this shortfall. We welcomed governments’ commitment to the development of a “robust plan for future psychosocial support arrangements” at the last Health and Mental Health Minister’s meeting, and are now urging action to deliver these arrangements. 

Governments have the information needed to make wise investments in psychosocial services to achieve good outcomes. Governments have an analysis of unmet need, evidence about what works, existing interjurisdictional governance mechanisms to build on, and existing service infrastructure and commissioning pathways. All we need now is for Governments to commit funding to ensure all people in Australia who need it can access quality psychosocial supports.