Weekly Update: This week is Loneliness Awareness Week – let's make moments matter
7 August 2025
CEO Message
This week is Loneliness Awareness Week – let's make moments matter
Young people aged 16 – 25 are feeling increasingly lonely, and it’s impacting their mental health and wellbeing. Pressures like the cost of living, a lack community spaces and major life events are all contributing to young people feeling disconnected.
This week, during Loneliness Awareness Week, an initiative of Mental Health Australia member Ending Loneliness Together, we are being encouraged to share small but meaningful moments, that help build and strengthen connections. This can include a quick hello, a chance encounter, an act of kindness, or a compliment – small but meaningful interactions that spark conversation and help us feel seen and valued.
Ending Loneliness Together’s new report, A Call to Connection: Understanding and Addressing Youth Loneliness in Australia, provides valuable insights into the prevalence and demographics of loneliness among young people and its relationship with mental health. The research identified that young people experiencing poor mental health are three times more likely to be persistently lonely, and those who are persistently lonely are seven times more likely to experience psychological distress.
It also highlights the need to urgently address physical and mental health issues, which if left unaddressed can lead to poorer outcomes socially, vocationally and educationally, for individuals and society more broadly.
The recent release of the World Health Organisation’s From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies report makes it clear that loneliness is a public health priority globally. The report highlights that while social disconnection is widespread, and has severe and under-recognised consequences, there are also effective strategies to foster social connection that should be scaled up.
Creating safe and inclusive spaces that support healthy and meaningful social connections for young people – in schools, workplaces, local communities and online – is an important part of our collective response to loneliness.
Visit the Loneliness Awareness Week website for practical resources to help get the #MomentsMatter message out. You can support the campaign by hosting an event, organising a family game, having a team cook up, or learning a new skill with someone.
You can also post a short video on social media to inspire others, and share a small moment of connection that’s made you feel less lonely, led to a friendship or strengthened a relationship.
Let’s make #MomentsMatter, this week and beyond.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia
Mental Health Australia News
Submission to the National Disability Insurance Scheme supports rules consultation
Last week, Mental Health Australia made a submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Supports Rules, which will determine what supports can or cannot be purchased through an NDIS plan. Mental Health Australia’s submission called for:
- access to exercise physiology and personal wellbeing activities to improve psychosocial functioning through NDIS plans;
- clarity around the provision of recovery-oriented support;
- consistency in the interpretation of therapeutic supports for people with psychosocial disability; and
- a transparent process to update both the lists of “Supports that are NDIS supports” and “Supports that are not NDIS Supports”.
Read our submission at the button below.
Member-only webinar opportunity: National Mental Health Commission Report Card
The National Mental Health Commission has released its 2024 National Report Card, examining the prevalence of mental health challenges, the drivers behind it and the performance of the mental health system.
Mental Health Australia members are invited to join Mental Health Australia CEO, Carolyn Nikoloski, with guest presenter, Commission CEO David McGrath, for a discussion of the data, themes and implications emerging from this year's report, and what the results mean for Australia’s mental health system moving forward.
This webinar is a member-only benefit.
Date: Friday 22nd August 2025
Time: 11:00pm AEST
Location: Online via Zoom
Registration is essential, learn more at the button below.
Mental Health News
Media release: New Commissioner to foster change for First Nations children and youth
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its promise to protect and promote the rights of First Nations children and young people with the appointment of Australia’s first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter will take on the role, commencing later this year. A proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, Ms Hunter brings over 20 years of experience in the family services sector, including senior roles at SNAICC – National Voice of Our Children, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and as a frontline social worker. She was a Commissioner and Deputy Chair of the Yoorook Justice Commission.
Media article: Opposition says Closing the Gap Report confirms federal government is "failing Indigenous Australians"
Federal Opposition spokesperson on Indigenous policy, Senator Kerrynne Liddle, has condemned the government for "failing Indigenous Australians" in response to the latest Closing the Gap report. Senator Liddle said Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report paints a stark picture of no meaningful positive change to the lives of Indigenous Australians, with the four targets going in the wrong direction in 2024 – incarceration, suicide, children in out-of home care and children commencing school developmentally on track – still going backwards today.
Media release: Appointment of new Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner
Minister for Veterans' Affairs the Hon. Matt Keogh MP said the Albanese Government has appointed Ms Annabelle Wilson as Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner from 6th August 2025 for five years. Ms Wilson is the widow of a veteran and a respected champion for the veteran community, recognised for her empathy, drive and evidence-driven approach. The job of the Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner is a vital one as the Albanese Government continues work to implement recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Media release: Lifeline calls on Australians to unite for "out of the shadows" walks on World Suicide Prevention Day
This World Suicide Prevention Day (Wednesday 10 September), Lifeline is encouraging Australians to walk nine kilometres to honour the nine lives lost to suicide every day in Australia.
Media release: Loneliness inquiry report tabled (NSW)
On the eve of National Loneliness Awareness Week, NSW Parliament's Standing Committee on Social Issues published the report of its year long inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in New South Wales. The report contains eight findings and 20 recommendations to the NSW Government.
Media release: Mental health group welcomes NSW parliamentary report into loneliness (NSW)
Australians for Mental Health has welcomed recommendations from a landmark NSW parliamentary report into loneliness. The final report from the Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Social Issues’ inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in NSW acknowledges the pressing and growing issue of loneliness, and its deep links to mental ill-health, disadvantage and marginalisation.
Media release: Annual census of homeless children and young people sparks call to "get young Victorians out of emergency departments and back into classrooms" (VIC)
Melbourne City Mission and Social Ventures Australia have released their second annual Victorian Youth Homelessness Snapshot at Victorian Parliament. The 2025 results reveal that most young Victorians are losing their homes due to family violence (83%), and many before the age of 16 (31%). They are being cut off from school and employment pathways (66%) and instead ending up in emergency departments (54%) and at risk of self-harm and suicide (65%).
Media release: Making mental health support easier to access, closer to home (VIC)
The Allan Labor Government is now one step closer to expanding access to free mental health and wellbeing support close to home without needing a GP referral or Medicare card. Following the recent announcement of seven new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals across Victoria, Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt today announced the lead service providers that will deliver these services.
Mental Health Opportunities and Resources
Australian Government consultation: Have your say on reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act
The Albanese Government has released an Issues Paper to seek views on reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, as well as other opportunities to clarify and strengthen
protections for people with disability. This is part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission).
The Government is now inviting people with disability, carers, families and kin, advocates,
service providers, employers, unions, educational bodies, small business, legal professionals, academia and the broader community to participate and share their views.
The Issues Paper is accompanied by an Auslan video, Easy Read and plain English versions of the paper’s summary. There are options to share your views in ways that best suit you including a short community survey, written, audio or video submissions.
For more information about the review, and to access the review’s Issues Paper and have your say, visit the Attorney-General's Department website at the button below.
Submissions close 24th October 2025.
4th-10th August 2025: Loneliness Awareness Week
This Loneliness Awareness Week, Ending Loneliness Together is shining a spotlight on young people and their circle, sharing small but meaningful moments that help build and strengthen connections, and calling on all Australians to make moments matter at home, at work, at school, online and in the community. Co-designed with young people aged 16–25, this year’s campaign is grounded in their lived experience and shaped around the theme: “Moments Matter”.
Ways to get involved
- Encourage young people and all Australians to share moments in a short piece to camera using the hashtag #MomentsMatter.
- Visit the campaign website and share campaign resources and assets widely.
Online survey: Co-design of an expert AI chatbot
The University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre is recruiting young people aged 18-30 years to take part in an online survey. The results of the survey will inform the co-design of an expert AI chatbot to deliver specialist assessment and personalised care planning and coordination.
Access the survey at the button below or contact Dr Adam Poulsen (adam.poulsen@sydney.edu.au) for more information.
Griefline 2025 National Grief Survey
The 2025 National Grief Survey is a nationwide project designed to better understand the experiences of grieving Australians, and where current systems of support are falling short.
If you’ve experienced grief in the past 12 months, you are invited to share your experience. Your voice will help shape a more inclusive, informed approach to grief support across the country.
The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and is open until 31st August 2025.
Closing tomorrow: Applications for the Peter Meyer Research Grant
One Door Mental Health is now accepting applications for the 2025 Peter Meyer Research Grant. This $15,000 grant supports innovative research led by NSW-based researchers aged 35 years and under, with a focus on improving the lives of people living with schizophrenia. Whether it’s exploring causes, recovery approaches, or psychosocial supports, the grant aims to fund projects that make a meaningful impact.
Applications close 5:00pm 8th August 2025.
Relationships Australia Victoria training opportunities
Relationships Australia Victoria is offering upcoming workshops and webinars including:
- Vicarious Trauma – 11th August
- Facilitating a Therapeutic Support Group – 12th August
- Making your Diverse Workplace Inclusive – 19th August
Everymind Prevention in Practice Summit 2025
The Prevention in Practice Summit 2025 is a one-day summit focused on bridging the knowledge-to-practice gap in the prevention of mental ill-health.
Job Opportunities
National Consumer Partnerships Manager
Use your lived experience of mental health challenges, and your knowledge of the mental health consumer movement, to amplify consumers' voices in this brand-new role based anywhere in Australia.
Applications close 8:00 AM AEST, 18th August 2025.
Canberra Health Service: Manager of Peer Services (designated lived experience role)
Canberra Health Service is looking for a lived experience leader to help shape and lead peer-led mental health services.
Applications close 24th August 2025.
Featured Members
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
The RANZCP is responsible for training, educating and representing psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand. The RANZCP is accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) to deliver specialist medical education and training, and professional development programs. The RANZCP supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments on mental health care.
Innowell
Inowell is an Australian developed, digital mental health platform.Our best-in-class digital mental health IP was designed in partnership with the Brain & Mind Centre at the University of Sydney. Our technology provides the tooling for clinical decision support for health systems and services to connect the patient’s data with the right care, at the right time, the first time.
Share your news, job vacancies, or upcoming events to more than 5,000 people in the mental health sector each week.
Mental Health Australia members are invited to send us news, announcements, job vacancies, events or other notices for inclusion in the Weekly CEO Update newsletter. To do so, simply fill out this form by COB each Monday for your notice to appear in the newsletter.
If you are interested in being featured in our newsletter, please note that promotions in the Weekly CEO Update are one of many member benefits. Apply for a full or associate membership to take part in advocacy at the national level. For more information or to register your organisation, follow this link.