National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Advocacy

Mental Health Australia has released a suite of recommendations to inform the next National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, placing the community at the centre of future reforms.

Drawing on the expertise of its 160-member network, these documents highlight practical actions to address some of the most significant gaps in Australia's mental health system. 

• A Priorities Statement which sets out clear and practical actions governments can take to improve mental health outcomes through targeted investment in priority reform areas, addressing weaknesses in system foundations and strengthening existing commitments.

• A Principles for Psychosocial Supports Outside the NDIS paper, highlighting psychosocial support for people with severe mental health challenges who fall outside the NDIS as the critical missing piece of Australia's mental health system. Psychosocial supports help people maintain housing, participate in education and employment, build relationships, and live well in their communities.

• A Workforce Priorities paper, outlining the urgent need to address workforce shortages, recruitment and retention challenges, and long-term workforce planning.

Read the media release here. 

Media contact: Caroline Illingworth, Senior Communications Manager – 0417037595 or Emma Greeney, Director of Policy and Advocacy – 0437891671.

Policy contact: Ingrid Hatfield, Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy – policy@mentalhealthaustralia.org.au