CEO Update: NAIDOC Week – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy
10 July 2025
CEO Message
This week, Mental Health Australia acknowledges and celebrates the 50th National NAIDOC Week. This year's theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. In honour of this year's event, we are delighted to have Rachel Fishlock contribute this week's message. Rachel is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and is the Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. Driven by lived experience of systemic neglect as a child carer, Rachel aspires to create systemic change to the Australian mental health system, particularly for children and caring arrangements. Beyond her professional roles, Rachel is Co-Chair of the Wharerātā Hui, Board Member of Suicide Prevention Australia, Mental Health Australia and the Capital Health Network, and the Deputy Co-chair of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership in an effort to achieve the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
Guest message from Rachel Fishlock
NAIDOC Week – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy
NAIDOC Week is not only a celebration, it’s a reminder of our strength in the face of challenges that continue to be felt, and the legacy we carry forward for the next generation.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples belong to the oldest living cultures on Earth. These cultures sustained our people, families, and communities for tens of thousands of years, and remain a source of pride, strength and wellbeing in the present. In common with Indigenous peoples in many countries, we connect our mental health to strong identities, to participation in our cultures, families, and communities, and to our relationship to our lands and seas, ancestors, and the spiritual dimension of existence.
In the context of this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, I have been reflecting on the work that’s come before us, and how it shapes the legacy we’ll leave.
In 2010, the Wharerātā Group of Indigenous mental health leaders from Canada, the United States, Australia, Samoa, and New Zealand developed the Wharerātā Declaration. It comprises five themes on the importance of Indigenous leadership in addressing the common mental health challenges faced by Indigenous peoples around the world. This vision was built on in 2013 with the formation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership in Mental Health, who developed the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration (the Declaration) in 2015. This companion document focussed on the strength of our people and laid out a vision of an Australian mental health system that has Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and presence at all levels and an appropriate balance of cultural and clinical interventions embedded into it.
This is the legacy we want to leave for future generations. Generations that are supported to be happy, healthy, and have high levels of social and emotional wellbeing.
As the national leader for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention, Gayaa Dhuwi is driven by the enduring nature of the Declaration, and the strength of its vision to help overcome the ongoing impacts of colonisation and systemic inertia.
Rachel Fishlock
CEO, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
Information requests – Productivity Commission review
The Productivity Commission is seeking case studies and further information from the sector as part of their review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. The Productivity Commission’s Interim report includes four requests for information on:
- case studies highlighting best practice in integrating peer workers in clinical mental health and suicide prevention settings, particularly by improving clinician awareness of the peer workforce;
- examples of barriers to the genuine participation and influence of people with lived and living experience in governance forums under the National Agreement;
- views on the value and feasibility of having a public dashboard to track and report on progress under the next Agreement’s objectives and outcomes; and
- views on if there should there be an additional schedule in the next agreement to address the co-occurrence of problematic alcohol and other drug use and mental ill health and suicide.
Responses to these requests for information can be provided to the Productivity Commission until 31st July, via online submission or phone. See the Interim report for further information, or contact mentalhealthreview@pc.gov.au (1800 020 083).
Mental Health Australia celebrates and congratulates mental health leaders recognised in the 2025 National NAIDOC Week Awards
2025 Female Elder of the Year: Aunty Rosalie Kickett
Aunty Rosalie Kickett, a proud Wilman, Beelya, Ballardong, Menang, Bibbulmen Nyoongar Nation Yok, has dedicated her life to empowering Aboriginal people, most recently incarcerated Aboriginal men. As a Lifeline Australia National First Nations Family and Domestic Violence Subject Matter Expert, Aunty Rosalie ensures that women in our communities are safe and supported.
2025 Youth of the Year: Ms Anika Gosling
Anika Gosling is a proud Wadjuk Noongar woman from Perth. She holds a Bachelor’s degree, Honours, and a Master’s in Psychology, and currently works as a School Psychologist, where she supports Aboriginal youth, focusing on enhancing their social and emotional wellbeing.
Missed our webinar on cultural responsiveness in mental health care?
Mental Health Australia's Embrace Multicultural Mental Health partnered with the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) for this recent webinar exploring what cultural responsiveness means in practice and why it matters for services working with diverse communities.
A recording of the session, which includes an extended audience Q and A with CEH, and an Embrace Lived Experience Group member addressing important questions from the sector about putting cultural responsiveness into action, is now available.
Click the button below to view the webinar.
Mental Health News
Media article: Millennial mental health claims help to push life insurers to $2.2b crisis
Almost half the money paid out by life insurers is linked to mental health problems in what the industry says is a worsening crisis as more young people claim they are unable to work because they have developed severe anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Media release: Joint statement on new National Disability Insurance Scheme funding periods from Every Australian Counts and disability rights organisations
From 19 May 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) introduced major changes to how funding is delivered in new and reassessed plans. Instead of receiving their full budget upfront, participants’ funding will now be released for claiming in installments called "funding periods". Every Australian Counts and People with Disability Australia's fellow disability rights organisations are standing together in demanding urgent improvements to how changes are communicated and delivered.
Media release: Study reveals socioeconomic barriers to children's healthcare access
The Royal Australian College of GPs says research published in the Australian Journal of General Practice has revealed mental health and developmental-behavioural issues such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are the most common paediatric referrals in metropolitan general practices. But the research also revealed children at higher risk are less likely to get the care they may need.
Media article: Goanna Academy launches Stick With It campaign
A powerful new mental health campaign is putting visibility, connection, and culture at the centre of healing, led by NRL great and Dunghutti man Greg Inglis. Launched through his mental health organisation, the Goanna Academy, the Stick With It campaign invites people to write messages of strength, remembrance or hope on sports tape, a small gesture aimed at sparking big conversations.
Media release: Looking out for families, friends, and carers of those in suicidal distress (ACT)
The ACT Government has launched "Minds Together", a free online program to support families, friends, and carers of those experiencing suicidal distress. People in support roles often provide life-saving practical and emotional support, Minds Together provides additional support and tailored resources for those support people when a loved one is experiencing suicidal distress.
Media release: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder reforms to make care cheaper, faster and easier to access from September (NSW)
NSW Minster for Health, Ryan Park and Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson says from September, general practitioners in NSW will be able to resupply Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication to their patients, marking the first phase of landmark reforms by the Minns Labor Government to make ADHD care cheaper and accessible.
Media release: A fresh start for students – new mental health and wellbeing menu for schools (TAS)
A Dean Winter Labor Government will invest $10 million over two years for new mental health and wellbeing programs to be rolled out across all Tasmanian Government schools. We will deliver a fresh start for Tasmanian students by providing them with greater access to the mental health tools they need to thrive in school. Mental health of students is a serious and growing issue across Tasmanian school communities. Schools will be funded to select mental health programs from a list of approved programs, based on what suits their community.
Media release: Frankston youth mental health service upgrade complete (VIC)
The Allan Labor Government is giving young Victorians access to the mental health support they need and deserve, with a multimillion-dollar upgrade to a critical mental health service in Melbourne’s South East now complete. Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt, Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke and Member for Hasting Paul Mercurio today visited the Frankston Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) to celebrate the milestone which has delivered refurbished bedrooms and bedroom pod, a new shared kitchen, living and activity spaces and more outdoor spaces.
Media release: Record investment in autism inclusion initiatives (SA)
SA Minister for Autism Emily Bourke said organisations will share in nearly half-a-million-dollars to deliver programs that support autistic inclusion in businesses, venues and community spaces, as recipients of a Malinauskas Government initiative are announced today.
Media release: Labor's mental health shortcut (SA)
The Malinauskas Labor Government is facing serious questions over a proposal that would allow up to half of the mental health nursing workforce to operate without formal mental health qualifications. In a deeply concerning move, the Government has proposed weakening minimum qualification requirements in South Australia’s mental health services, including requiring only 50 per cent of staff to hold, or be working toward, a mental health qualification.
See attached media release.
Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
Webinar invitation: ReachOut's launch of their new evaluative report
ReachOut Australia is hosting a webinar to launch a new evaluative report exploring the impact of ReachOut PeerChat, a one-to-one digital peer support service. The report unpacks the experiences of the young people who use the service and the peer workers who deliver it.
Emily Smith, ReachOut’s Peer Work Manager, will be joined by Rafi Armanto, Head of Lived Experience at Orygen and Tamara Northey, Senior Policy Advisor at the Mental Health Commission of NSW and host, journalist and author, Juanita Phillips. You’ll also hear from ReachOut’s research team and the peer workers behind PeerChat.
Date: Wednesday 30th July 2025
Time: 12:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
Learn more and register at the button below.
Consultation open on the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (third edition)
The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards provide a framework for delivering high-quality health care across the continuum of care. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is developing the NSQHS Standards (third edition) to improve patient care into the future.
A public consultation is now open to inform the development of the NSQHS Standards (third edition) and your views are invited until 30th September 2025.
The Commission is seeking to understand health system needs to ensure the next edition of the standards is relevant, evidence-based, responsive to emerging challenges and innovations in health care, outcomes focused and integrated within health service organisations. Learn more about how to take part at the button below.
Webinar invitation: Beyond Burnout with Beyond Blue
This webinar is designed for people who want to develop strategies to better handle pressures at work and at home, to recognise and address signs of burnout and to improve their overall mental health.
Beyond Blue's webinars are free, but participants are invited to make a donation to the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service.
Date: Wednesday 16th July 2025
Time: 12:00-1:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Learn more and register at the button below.
2025 NSW Community Champion Award nominations now open
Presented annually by the Mental Health Commission of NSW, the awards recognise individuals and grassroots organisations that have made exceptional contributions to mental health and wellbeing in their communities.
Learn more at the button below.
Queensland Mental Health Review Tribunal member opportunities
Queensland's Mental Health Review Tribunal is an independent decision-making body that operates in accordance with the Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld). The Tribunal’s primary purpose is to review the involuntary status of persons with a mental illness and/or intellectual disability. Applications are invited from lawyers, psychiatrists and community members for member positions anticipated to commence from February 2026.
Applications close 14th July 2025.
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing survey on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Workforce Association
A survey to inform the development of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce Association is now open.
Feedback is invited from mental health and suicide prevention peer workers, including peer workers from other sectors, on the scope of the Association's activity, and eligibility criteria for the entity that will be selected to establish it. Responses will inform the drafting of the grant opportunity to establish the new Association so that it is best placed to meet sector need. Responses will be kept confidential.
The survey is open until Monday 21st July 2025.
Australian Government tender opportunity: Delivery of the National Early Intervention Service, a Digital Mental Health Service
The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released a Request for Tender for Request for Tender for the delivery of the National Early Intervention Service, a Digital Mental Health Service. The department is seeking responses by 2:00pm, 21st July 2025.
Ten years of honouring mental health leadership: 2025 Australian Mental Health Prize nominations now open
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the highly regarded Australian Mental Health Prize. Established by UNSW Sydney, the prize honours Australians who have made outstanding contributions to mental health across four categories: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Lived Experience, Professional, and Community Hero.
Nominations close 23rd July 2025. Learn more at the button below.
Job Opportunities
Job opportunity: Executive Assistant, National Mental Health Consumer Alliance
The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance is inviting applications for the position of Executive Assistant, to support a small team and the CEO with the day-to-day running of the Alliance.
Applications close 5:00pm AEST, 17th July 2025. Learn more at the button below.
Job opportunities: Relationships Australia Victoria
First Nations Social Emotional Wellbeing Worker
Relationships Australia Victoria invites applications for this role based at their headspace Bairnsdale centre. Work as part of the Relationships Australia Victoria First Nations team to provide strength-based and culturally safe services to young people with a focus on First Nations young people.
Counsellor – Couple, Family and Child
Relationships Australia Victoria is seeking a Counsellor – Couple, Family and Child. Reporting to the Centre Manager and working closely with a team of highly skilled clinicians, responsibilities will include the provision of high quality, culturally sensitive relationship counselling and therapy, including education programs to individuals, couples, and families, as required.
Featured Members
Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research
Established in 1987, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) is Queensland’s premier mental health research facility. Based at The Park Centre for Mental Health at Wacol, QCMHR is hosted by the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service and has close links with The University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute and School of Public Health, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners. The work conducted at QCMHR aims to reduce the level of disability associated with mental illness. This is achieved by providing internationally recognised research that leads to more effective mental health services and interventions, the identification and reduction of risk factors, and the development of researchers in the field of mental health.
Exercise & Sports Science Australia
Founded in 1991 Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), formerly known as the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science, is a professional organisation which is committed to establishing, promoting and defending the career paths of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners.
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