CEO Update: Supporting each other during this challenging time
I want to personally extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those directly affected by the tragic events this weekend at Bondi Junction in Sydney.
This is a time for mourning across Australia.
I acknowledge the distress many of us are collectively experiencing right now. The impact of this incident both for the people directly affected, and more broadly, may have lasting repercussions. Traumatic events such as these can cause significant psychological distress, which is why it is important to connect with supports if they are needed during this time:
With such events, it is natural that the community wants answers. While we will know further as the coronial investigation proceeds, there are also some things we may never know. It is imperative we are careful not to stigmatise people with lived experiences of severe and complex mental illness, and their family, carers and supporters, and we encourage everyone in communicating about this incident to follow Mindframe’s guidelines for non-stigmatising language.
We know that half of the population will experience mental health challenges over our lifetime. And as SANE Australia reports, people living with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence.
We also know that there continues to be an urgent need to adequately fund and reform our mental health system.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has acknowledged that governments “could always do more” to support those with mental ill-health, and in an interview on ABC Radio National, said “This is an issue which we need to deal with. You can never do enough in an area like [mental health]. There's no question about that.”
Investment in our mental health system does not match the level of need. Mental health expenditure has decreased as a proportion of total health expenditure (8 per cent in 2019-20 to 7 per cent in 2020-21) and is still well below the equivalent 13 per cent burden of disease.
The Productivity Commission recommended governments invest an extra $1.2 billion per year nationally, to deliver priority mental health system reforms.
Mental Health Australia has long been advocating for systemic mental health reform. Our 2024 Pre-Budget submission outlines actions the Australian Government, together with states and territories, can take now to improve Australian’s access to mental health supports.
Mental Health Australia will continue to work with the community, sector and the Australian Government to reform our mental health system, to make sure that everyone in Australia can access the crucial mental health services they need. Continued investment and commitment from the Australian Government in the upcoming Federal Budget is vital to address this need.
I want to acknowledge the incredible efforts of first responders and NSW health teams already in responding to and supporting people in this very difficult incident.
As a community, we must continue to rally together to support one another during this time.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia | 
