CEO Update: Closing the Gap – First Nations-led responses to mental health are key to urgent reform
21 February 2025
CEO Message
I am currently on a short period of leave. I am delighted that Michelle Possingham, Mental Health Australia's Director of Programs, has stepped in to the role of Acting CEO while I am away.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
Closing the Gap – First
Nations-led responses to mental health are key to urgent reform
Last week, the Prime Minister released the 2024 Closing the Gap Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan.
This annual release is a moment to reflect on and re-commit to creating an equitable country – one where First Nations peoples have the same health, life expectancy, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing as all others in Australia.
There is much work to do, with just five of the 19 socio-economic targets aimed at improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on track to be met. Despite this, there has been progress.
The Closing the Gap report highlights First Nations-led initiatives already leading the way in providing culturally appropriate services in suicide prevention and aftercare, including through 13YARN (24/7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line), the Culture Care Connect program delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Thirrili’s suicide postvention support initiative, and Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia’s work on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy.
The Australian Government’s 2025 Closing the Gap Implementation Plan includes scholarships for up to 150 First Nations psychology students. This builds on investment in the 2024-25 MYEFO to continue to support the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership, bringing together First Nations and government representatives to improve social and emotional wellbeing and mental health for First Nations peoples.
These are welcome initiatives, but we need more than one-off measures. We need ongoing commitment to long-term strategies. As outlined in our Pre-Budget Submission, Mental Health Australia is continuing to call on Australian governments to fund the implementation of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration, through the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan.
Launched this week, the Framework and Implementation Plan sets out a 10-year roadmap to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, cultural strength, and best practices into Australia’s mental health system.
The release of the Framework and Plan, led by Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, is welcome progress, and provides a strategic approach to achieving the highest standard of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), mental health, and suicide prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This approach recognises the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the particular barriers they face accessing appropriate mental health services.
The progress highlighted in the 2024 Closing the Gap Annual Report highlights what’s possible when governments work in partnership with First Nations-led organisations.
As allies, it’s imperative we also do our part in holding governments to account and supporting First Nations-led approaches, as it is only through partnerships and accountability that we can achieve the practical change needed to reach the targets and improve the mental health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples as a matter of urgency.
Michelle Possingham
Acting CEO, Mental Health Australia
Productivity Commission Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review
The Productivity Commission has been asked by the Australian Government to conduct the final review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
The Commission has developed guidance to assist the preparation of submissions, which sets out some of the issues and questions identified as relevant at this early stage of the inquiry. Participants are asked to provide evidence to support their views, including data and specific examples where possible.
Initial submissions are due by Wednesday 12 March 2025. Learn more at the Commission's website.
Share your experience of the mental health and suicide prevention services in the Review's survey
As part of the review, the Productivity Commission is inviting consumers, carers, workers and volunteers with experience using mental health and suicide prevention services over the past 3 years to provide feedback in a survey.
The survey seeks to understand experiences and ideas for making services better in the future.
Learn more at the button below.
Mental health news
Media release: Delivering high-quality free digital mental health supports
The Australian Government is delivering high-quality free mental health supports for new parents, younger Australians, LGBTIQA+ people and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. A $135.2 million investment into the Digital Mental Health Program will see 12 mental health services provide Australians equal access to digital and online mental health support at a time and place that suits them.
Media release: Government funds world-first digital psychosocial recovery program for national roll out
SANE Australia has been awarded $27.3 million over three years for the national roll out of a free digital psychosocial recovery program for adults experiencing complex mental illness and trauma, as well as for their family, carers and kin.
Media release: New Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing centre in Adelaide
First Nations people in South Australia will have a dedicated social and emotional wellbeing centre designed for their needs, with an interim service open by the end of 2025. Jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, the centre will coordinate mental health support and wellbeing care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children across SA. It will provide holistic, culturally safe and appropriate care, including traditional healing methods.
Article: Anniversary of the Closing the Gap Review
Delivered on 7 February 2024, the Closing the Gap review is one of the most widely read publications in the Productivity Commission's history. The year ahead marks an important chapter in Closing the Gap accountability. Between February and July, the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations will undertake an independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led review of the National Agreement, a unique opportunity to hear directly from Indigenous people about their lived experiences of the National Agreement and its rollout.
Article: Mass plea for Labor to increase Medicare psychology sessions
The call by the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) and eight other psychology bodies for the Federal Government to remove the 10-session limit on Medicare psychology sessions was highlighted in a story across News Corp publications.
AAPi President Sahra O’Doherty said the current 10-session limit was more based on budget constraints than medical or clinical advice.
Media release: Experts appointed to lead anti-bullying rapid review
The Australian Government is working together with states and territories on a national standard to address bullying in Australian schools. This includes a new Anti-Bullying Rapid Review to examine current school procedures and best practice methods to address bullying behaviours. Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson have been appointed as co-chairs of the Review that will inform the development of a national standard.
Media release: New eSafety advisory hub warns unrestricted chatbots threaten child development
Children are using AI-driven chatbots for hours daily, giving them interactive access to unrestricted themes from sex to drug-taking, self-harm, suicide and serious illnesses, such as eating disorders. The first of eSafety's new Online Safety Advisory series warns chatbots are exposing children to unmoderated conversations which may encourage or reinforce harmful thoughts and behaviours.
Media release: Historic reform for Veterans' and Families Benefits passes the Parliament
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon. Matt Keogh MP, said Parliament has passed the most significant legislative reform of Australia's veteran support system in a century, making it easier for veterans and families to understand their entitlements, simpler for advocates to support veterans making DVA claims, and streamlining claims processing within the Department of Veterans' Affairs. It follows the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s recommendation for the urgent simplification and harmonisation of the veteran compensation and rehabilitation system.
Interview transcript: Minister for Veterans Affairs, 2SM Radio Sydney, 18th February 2025
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon. Matt Keogh MP, said a new body legislated to provide oversight for the whole veteran support ecosystem will look at suicide prevention, but also veteran wellbeing, for Defence personnel and veterans.
Media release: Coalition helps fast-track Veterans bill
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, said simplifying and harmonising veteran compensation and rehabilitation legislation will finally be done, thanks to the crucial Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 being passed by Parliament. Mr Joyce said the Bill is imperative in helping veterans get the assistance they need and deserve.
Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
Webinar – today! Social and Emotional Wellbeing
As part of a series of webinars commemorating the 10th anniversary of the seminal textbook, Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice (2nd edition), the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention presents a conversation between two of the book's co-authors and an accomplished young mental health advocate, PhD student, and founder in this live webinar event.
Date: Friday, 21st February 2025
Time: 9:30 AM AWST/12:30 PM AEDT
Location: Online
Register at the button below.
It's World Mental Health Nurses' Day 2025
It's World Mental Health Nurses Day 2025 today, when we recognise the vital role mental health nurses play in our community and thank them for their kindness, courage, inclusion, and commitment.
There's still time to grab some campaign resources. Help spread awareness about the vital role mental health nurses play in our community, recognise the 25,000 mental health nurses in Australia who remain undervalued in the healthcare system and showcase your support and commitment to improving mental health care.
Learn more at the button below.
Survey: Lived experience perspectives on social work registration
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is advocating for social workers to be included in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), and seeking views from people with lived experience about their direct experience with social workers through a short survey.
Responses are invited until 11th March 2025. Access the survey at the QR code or button below.
Call for expressions of interest – new national peer association
The Department of Health and Aged Care has engaged Lived Experience Australia to update the 2019 Towards Professionalisation Report to inform the establishment of a National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce Association.
Lived Experience Australia is undertaking a series of focus group consultations in March for people in mental health and/or suicide prevention services who are currently or previously employed in designated personal or family/carer lived experience (peer) roles, including peer support workers, management, leadership and advocacy.
Expressions of interest in these sessions are invited as soon as possible. Applications will close once the focus groups have reached capacity.
A focus group with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peer Workers is planned. Email Sharon Lawn at slawn@livedexperienceaustralia.com.au if you are interested in attending this group.
Learn more about the EOI process and this important initiative at the button below.
Managing NDIS plans effectively: New resources for self-managers
The Australian Federation for Disability Organisations has launched new Financial Literacy Resources designed to support NDIS self-managers. Co-designed with people with disability, these tools provide clear, accessible guidance for managing NDIS plans effectively.
Closing 28th February 2025: Australian Government consultation measuring the contribution of unpaid care in Australia
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' consultation on the best approach to measuring the labour contribution of unpaid carers is closing soon.
Webinar: Trauma or Treatment – 24th February 2025
The National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) presents this webinar about the impact of trauma from a survivor’s perspective. NMHCCF representatives will explore trauma, its impact, and mental health implications, while taking a deeper look at the impacts of services and systems on survivors.
Date: Monday 24th February 2025
Time: 3:00pm AEDT
Location: Online via Zoom
Please register at the button below.
Webinar: National Mental Health Consumer Alliance – 6th March 2025
The Alliance invites people who have lived experience using mental health services to its first public webinar to learn about the Alliance's achievements over the past seven months, and areas of focus in 2025.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. A webinar for Allies is scheduled for 13th March.
Date: Thursday 6th March 2025
Time: 12:00-1:00pm (AEDT)
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Learn more at the button below.
Webinar: You Can't Deny it – Gender Euphoria Saves Lives
MindOut develops and delivers national suicide prevention initiatives for the mental health and suicide prevention sectors to help them meet the needs of LGBTIQ+ populations.
MindOut's next webinar will run adjacent to Trans Day of Visibility on 31st March, as a timely opportunity to discuss topics such as the importance of life-saving gender euphoria and gender affirming care.
Date:Tuesday 1st April 2025
Time: 1:00-2:00pm (AEDT)
Location: Online via Zoom
Register at the button below.
Training: Learning about complex trauma with BlueKnot
The Blue Knot Foundation has introduced half day training sessions for professionals, exploring key concepts focused on the importance of safety, understanding the role of compassion in healing and continuing to strengthen the awareness of the impacts of complex trauma.
Places are limited, learn more at the button below.
Listening Together Research Project
Researchers at the Australian National University are studying how young people with disability and young carers define good listening, and whether they feel listened to by the organisations and services in their lives. The project is co-designed with a group of young people with disability and young carers.
Young people with disability and young carers are invited to take part in the research by doing an online survey. The survey is open until June 20th 2025.
National Care and Support Sector Conference, 25th July 2025, Perth
This year's conference brings the Disability, Aged Care, Mental Health, Early Childhood Education and Care and Veterans' Care sectors together to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for providers at a time of rapid reform.
Australian Government grant opportunity forecast: Mental Health Program, Medicare Mental Health Centres
The service will create a pool of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists to support the clinical capacity of Medicare Mental Health Centres as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Australian Government grant opportunity forecast: Mental Health Program, Postgraduate Psychology Incentive Program Round 2
The grant is intended to support higher education providers who have created additional postgraduate psychology places in courses which lead to general registration and relevant areas of practice endorsement.
Featured Members
Mental Health Policy Unit, University of Canberra (MHPU)
The MHPU are part of the Health Research Institute based at the University of Canberra. They focus on using evidence-based decision support systems to support health and social policy. They work with local and international research institutions, governments, health networks, service providers and advocacy organisations to better understand, influence and improve mental health and disability care in the community.
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