CEO Blog

The mental health impacts of trying to make ends meet
9 April 2026
Filling up the tank. Doing the weekly shop. Paying the rent. Keeping the lights on. It all adds up. And lately it’s been adding up to a lot more.As living costs and interest rates rise, many people ac…
Read more
Putting prevention at the heart of mental health
26 March 2026
For many of us who grew up in Australia, there’s a jingle that’s forever imprinted in our minds: “Slip Slop Slap – slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.”When Cancer Council Australia l…
Read more
Honouring diversity, confronting racism and supporting mental health
19 March 2026
What does belonging mean to you? For some people, belonging means having their identity, culture and religion respected. For others, it means being listened to or feeling like being part of…
Read more
Connections, collaboration and unity: highlights from our Mental Health Sector Expo
12 March 2026
Last Thursday’s Mental Health Sector Expo at Parliament House was one of those days that reminded me why coming together as a united sector matters so deeply.The vibrancy of the event reflected the di…
Read more
Making NGO mental health services more visible in national reporting
4 March 2026
Making NGO mental health services more visible in national reportingOne of the things I value most about our sector is the way we can come together to share ideas and work towards a stronger mental he…
Read more
Shaping a better future for psychosocial support in the NDIS
26 February 2026
If you have been keeping an eye on the national conversation about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recently, you will know there are some big changes on the horizon. These changes will…
Read more
Recognition matters, but it's time to get on with the job
19 February 2026
In my time working in mental health, I’ve heard many of these stories.People across Australia, living with mental health challenges, who continue to tell us how hard it is to get the supports they nee…
Read more
Using data to build a stronger mental health system
12 February 2026
Someone once told me that good data is like a lighthouse. It doesn’t fix the storm around you, but it helps you see where you are and find a safer path forward. The 2026 Report on Government Serv…
Read more
Shaping a Better Mental Health Future Together
5 February 2026
Hi everyone,Over recent months I’ve had many conversations across our sector, and one overwhelming message has come through: mounting social and economic pressures are continuing to affect people’s me…
Read more
A pivotal year ahead for mental health reform
29 January 2026
Hi everyone,I hope you have had some time over the summer to rest and recharge and are returning with renewed energy for what is shaping up to be a pivotal year for mental health in Australia.Like man…
Read more
A year of advocacy, action and hope
11 December 2025
As I’ve reflected on earlier this year, one of my favourite moments of 2025 was being in a packed room at our Member Policy Forum at Old Parliament House, facilitating members’ direct engagement with …
Read more
The long wait for care: addressing the urgent gaps in our mental health system.
4 December 2025
If you’ve stepped into an emergency department recently, you’ll know how stretched they are. For people in urgent psychological distress, the wait for help can be hours – or sometimes an entire day. E…
Read more
Shining a light on the mental health and wellbeing in the perinatal period
27 November 2025
This week, Mental Health Australia acknowledges and celebrates Perinatal Mental Health Week. This year's theme is ‘What You Need, When You Need It’ and aims to raise awareness, strengthen understanding and ensure every parent has access to the right support at the right time. In honour of Perinatal Mental Health Week, we are delighted to have Gidget Foundation Australia CEO Arabella Gibson contribute this week’s message. Gidget Foundation Australia is a national not-for-profit mental health organisation supporting the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents and their families.
Read more
Mental health is key to economic inclusion
20 November 2025
Today Mental Health Australia is meeting with the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee to discuss opportunities to improve both mental health and economic inclusion.
Read more
Greater than the sum of our parts
14 November 2025
It was wonderful to meet with so many members across the diversity of the mental health sector at our Members Policy Forum in Melbourne this week. We were joined by more than 80 representatives …
Read more
Weekly Update: Managing mental health impacts of the social media delay
6 November 2025
In just five weeks the Australian Government’s social media age restrictions will come into effect. From 10 December, people in Australia will have to be 16 years or older to have a social media account, in a change described by the eSafety Commissioner as being intended “for the good of their wellbeing”.
Read more