CEO Update: Reflecting on a remarkable legacy
15 May 2025
CEO Message
Reflecting on a remarkable legacy
In 2002, the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) was established under the auspice of the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), now Mental Health Australia. Then in 2007, the National Register of Mental Health Consumer & Carer Representatives (the National Register) was established under MHCA's purview. It’s fair to say that the histories of Mental Health Australia, the NMHCCF and National Register, are deeply intertwined.
The NMHCCF and National Register are drawing to a close at the end of June, and last week I was delighted to join NMHCCF and National Register members, as we reflected on the past, and celebrated the achievements of the NMHCCF and National Register, at our Annual Issues and Opportunities workshop.
I would like to recognise the incredible leadership and advocacy of NMHCCF and National Register members, both past and present. At last week’s workshop, I learnt more about the history of both the NMHCCF and National Register, including some of the difficulties in establishing the NMHCCF in particular; how lived experience advocacy has changed over time, and the peaks and troughs that we’ve been through; and I saw first-hand the importance of the strong relationships that have underpinned the success and evolution of the NMHCCF and National Register.
I would like to recognise the strength and courage of all NMHCCF and National Register members who have bravely shared their lived and living experiences as mental health consumers and carers to drive significant improvements to Australia’s mental health system. This sense of tenacity was powerfully recognised by our keynote speaker, Rowan - one of Australia’s leading speed painters - who captured it in the stunning artwork below, created live during the Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop.
During my time in the mental health sector, and especially through my role as the CEO of Mental Health Australia, I have directly seen the powerful impact of the advocacy of the NMHCCF and National Register over many years. Members, past and present, have been instrumental in the positive changes we've seen across the mental health system, and I am deeply grateful for their dedication and commitment.
While it's important to focus on how far we have to go in mental health reform, it’s vital that we also acknowledge how far we've come – and the NMHCCF and National Register have left a remarkable legacy.
While we had a lot to reflect on, we were also looking toward the future. The national lived experience peak bodies – Mental Health Carers Australia and the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance – are now well and truly up and running, and driving lived experience advocacy nationally. I look forward to continuing to work with Mental Health Carers Australia and the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance.
For more information about the peaks, please visit: National mental health lived experience peak bodies | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
Caption: Members of the National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum, National Register, Mental Health Australia staff and keynote speaker Rowan pictured at the May 2025 Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop.
Registrations Open: Mental Health Australia's Members Policy Forum
Mental Health Australia members are invited to mark their calendars for the next Members Policy Forum on Wednesday 25th June 2025 in Canberra.
The forum is an opportunity to reflect on the outcomes and implications of the Federal Election, and shape future sector priorities together.
Members can register to attend in person at the button below, or to watch presentations throughout the day via Zoom, here. In-person registrations close on 3 June 2025.
Further details, including speakers, topics, will be shared soon. See highlights from our last forum, held in November 2024, here.
Member (in-person) registration
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia
On Saturday 17 May 2025, we recognise IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia. This year’s theme, “The Power of Communities,” celebrates the strength, resilience, and diversity within LGBTQIA+ communities—honouring the activists, allies, and organisations driving change.
More information is at the button below.
Mental Health News
2025 Federal Election
Media release: Ministerial Arrangements
Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 that he intends to recommend to the Governor-General the following makeup of his ministry.
Updated Administrative Arrangement Orders (FED)
On Tuesday 13 May, the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet (PM&C) published updated administrative arrangements order (AAO) that outlined the matters each department were responsible for. The Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) formally allocates executive responsibility among ministers. It sets out which matters and legislation are administered by which department or portfolio. Of relevance to the mental health sector:
PART 9 (page 20)
- The Department of Health and Aged Care will now be known as the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and be responsible for matters including:
- Services and policy for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
- Services and policy for Foundational Supports
- Mental health policy and primary mental health care
PART 14 (page 35)
- The Department of Social Services
- Policy and services for families with children and people with disabilities
The AAO can be found on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet's website at the button below.
Media Transcript of press conference, Parliament House (FED)
SUBJECTS: Ministerial Arrangements; International Relations.
Media statement: Statement on becoming Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the NDIS
Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said he is honoured to have been appointed as Minister for Health and Ageing, and the Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Media statement: Election as Leader of the Liberal Party (FED)
Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley said it is an enormous privilege to have been elected the Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party.
Media release: Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia congratulates Labor on their victory in the 2025 Federal Election
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia congratulates the Australian Labor Party on their success in securing a majority government in the 2025 Federal Election.
As the national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention, Gayaa Dhuwi acknowledges Labor’s increased focus and proposed investments in mental health during the election campaign.
Sector news
Media release: Backing men’s sheds to grow and thrive (VIC)
The Allan Labor Government is backing men's health and wellbeing with new grants to strengthen and expand men's sheds across the state. Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence this week visited Darebin Men's Shed to announce that applications are open for the 2025-26 Men's Shed Funding Program.
Media release: Supporting mental health for Victorian workers (VIC)
The Allan Labor Government is supporting workers' mental health to keep them safe and healthy at work. Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe Ben Carroll announced this week that applications are now open for WorkSafe's WorkWell Mental Health Industry Trials, which offer up to $1.76 million over three years to trial interventions to reduce workplace mental health harm and promote psychological health and safety.
Media release: Boosting support for young people through Kids Helpline (WA)
Health and Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the State Government will provide a $1.35 million funding boost to Kids Helpline provider yourtown to support more young Western Australians.
Media release: Australian-first women veterans research project to help address support needs (NSW)
Minister for Veterans David Harris and Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the Minns Labor Government is conducting an Australian-first research project to improve wellbeing support services for women veterans in the State, in partnership with RSL NSW and Monash University.
Media release: More beds and more brains needed to tackle mental health (QLD)
The 2025 Queensland state budget must invest an extra $330 million into mental health services across the state to make a difference to Queenslanders struggling with serious conditions. AMA Queensland has put its support behind the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, which has called for significant funding for three priority areas.
Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
Sector submissions invited: Models of Care Consortium
Orygen has been engaged by the Department of Health and Aged Care to lead a diverse consortium of organisations from the youth mental health sector to deliver sector advice to the Australian Government on the system of mental health services for young people aged 12 to 25 years.
The consortium has made available documents on the work that has been done so far here, including a Summary of Consortium Early Advice (available here).
Submissions are now invited from the sector, including views on this early advice, and can be made using the form below, by Friday 16th May 2025.
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia and Suicide Prevention Australia Forum Invitation - Monday 19th May 2025 - Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, in collaboration with Suicide Prevention Australia, invites you to a one-day forum to discuss the unique social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
(Note: This forum is being held the day before the National Suicide Prevention Conference in the same venue).
RSVP to gusw@suicideprelventionaust.org
2025 Woodcock Lecture hosted by Wellways: Dignity by Design – Humanity in the Mental Health System, 29th May 2025
The 23rd Annual Woodcock Lecture, hosted by Wellways, explores human rights in the mental health system. Dignity by Design: Humanity in the Mental Health System is a crucial exploration into how human rights-based approaches can transform our mental health support systems.
Call for feedback: Australia Suicide Prevention Planning Model (AuSPPM)
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research is calling for suicide prevention stakeholders, including persons with a lived experience, to provide feedback on the draft Australia Suicide Prevention Planning Model (AuSPPM) via an online survey. The AuSPPM is designed to bring together evidence on service needs to inform population planning for suicide prevention programs and services.
The survey closes Friday 30th May 2025.
Nominate a bold leader: 2025 Australian Psychosis Conference Awards
The Australian Psychosis Conference Awards celebrate change-makers in psychosis advocacy. The Australian Psychosis Conference (Brisbane, 29th-30th July 2025) is proud to honour individuals making a real difference in the lives of people experiencing psychosis, recognising bold leaders who drive change across advocacy, research, governance, and lived experience leadership.
Nominations are invited across three award categories and may be people with lived experience or professionals whose work challenges stigma, drives reform, and promotes dignity, equality, and evidence-based change.
Nominations close 31st May 2025.
2025 Australian Counselling Association National Conference, Adelaide, 11th-13th June 2025
Join the Australian Counselling Association for their 2025 ACA National Conference, themed "Changing Landscapes", held over three days in Adelaide this June. This 21st annual conference offers a unique opportunity to explore the dynamic shifts shaping the counselling profession and the broader mental health sector.
Registrations close 1st June 2025.
Australian Government advisory committee vacancies: Therapeutic Goods Administration call for applications
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking applications from professionals with expertise in medicine and science, and consumers with expertise in consumer perspectives and issues, for vacancies on TGA advisory committees.
Successful applicants will contribute to the TGA’s regulatory functions by providing independent expert advice on matters across a broad spectrum of issues relating to medicines, medical devices, vaccines, and other products and substances. Committee members provide advice throughout the therapeutic product life cycle, from premarket evaluation to post market product safety.
Applications close 11.30pm, Tuesday 3rd June 2025.GA)
Nominations invited for the Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards
The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards honour those in the community who help create a world where we’re all connected and are protected from suicide. Named after Barbara Hocking OAM, a trailblazer in mental health advocacy and former Executive Director of SANE Australia, the biennial awards recognise those who embody the R U OK? mission of fostering meaningful connections any day of the year
Nominations close 3rd June 2025.
Emerging Minds' new Engaging Children Learning Pathway
Engaging children as partners in practice helps ensure children’s voices, experiences and knowledge are valued in practice settings. Collaboration between practitioners and children lays a solid foundation for responding to child mental health concerns.
Emerging Minds has developed a series of free online courses packed with ideas, skills and strategies to help create meaningful and effective partnerships between children and practitioners.
Learn more about this free online learning resource at the button below.
Relationships Australia Victoria training opportunities
Relationships Australia Victoria’s Centre for Learning and Innovation is offering the following workshops and webinars in May and June:
- Life Transitions and Mental Health Webinar, 22nd May
- Managing Challenging Behaviours Workshop, 2nd June
2025 Rural Mental Health Conference
This year’s Rural Mental Health Conference is taking place in Hobart 5th-7th November 2025, centred on the theme: Rural Mental Health for the Future: Innovations, Collaboration, and Inclusive Approaches.
Registrations are open. Mental Health Australia CEO Update readers are eligible for a 20% discount by using the code MHA20.
Job Opportunities
Job vacancy: Chief Executive Officer, Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland
Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland is recruiting its next Chief Executive Officer. This is a unique opportunity to lead Queensland’s only consumer-led mental health peak body and drive meaningful systems reform.
Applications close 30th May 2025.
Featured Members
Orygen
Leading the revolution in youth mental health. We believe that all young people deserve to grow into adulthood with optimal mental health. Everything we do is focused on that outcome. Most mental health disorders begin between the early teens to the mid-20s. One in five young people will have experienced a depressive episode by the time they turn 18. We believe in treating early and focusing on recovery. Pioneering reform to deliver real-world practical solutions. Never settling for anything less than what young people need and deserve. Our research is world-leading, impactful and creates change. Working directly with young people, their families and friends, we pioneer new, positive approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. We advocate. We make sure that policy makers understand the need and cost of mental ill-health in young people. We educate. We use our research and evidence-based practice to develop innovative training programs and resources. Our goal? To see young people with mental ill-health getting well and staying well. Now that’s a revolution in mind.
CatholicCare Victoria
CatholicCare Victoria deliver an extensive range of social welfare and outreach services across the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat and the Western District of Victoria. They provide services that support individuals, families and communities empowering people to bring about positive change while building community capacity. Our vision is for a stronger, more inclusive society - where everyone can reach their potential and live life to the full. We break down the barriers to social inclusion by strengthening families and communities.
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