News from the CEO: 2024
CEO Update: Reflecting on a year of impact – our progress in 2024
11 December 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on a year of significant progress in mental health in Australia. Of course, we have a long way to go – with almost half of us experiencing a mental health condition at some point in our lives, increases in the rate of mental health conditions among young people, and too many people having poor experiences of care or missing out on support altogether – we clearly have a long journey ahead of us. However, it’s important to pause along the way, and reflect on what has changed, and what we need to focus on next.
Read moreCEO Update: It’s time to address the urgent gap in psychosocial supports
4 December 2024
This week marks International Day of People with Disability, where we celebrate the rights and achievements of people with disability. This year’s theme – Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future – reflects how critical the leadership of people with lived experience of psychosocial disability is to reshaping Australia’s psychosocial support systems.
Read moreCEO Update: Australia’s cost of living crisis shouldn’t cost our mental health
27 November 2024
Cost of living pressures are having a considerable impact on mental health and wellbeing. The Senate inquiry into the cost of living in Australia tabled its final report in Parliament recently, highlighting the significant, everyday financial pressures facing people in Australia.
Read moreCEO Update: Highlights from our 2023-2024 Annual Report
20 November 2024
Mental Health Australia’s 2023-2024 Annual Report celebrates our efforts to drive mental health reform. Our report showcases the range of activities, submissions, research initiatives and events we led over the last financial year through strong collaboration with our member organisations, government stakeholders, and people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health, their family, carers and supporters.
Read moreCEO Update: Uniting to drive change in mental health reform
11 November 2024
Yesterday at the State Library in Melbourne, we gathered for our end-of-year Members Policy Forum, Annual General Meeting, and the 2024 Grace Groom Memorial Oration. These events united a powerful mix of leaders, advocates, and champions dedicated to advancing mental health reform in Australia.
Read moreCEO Update: A strong, independent National Mental Health Commission is key
6 November 2024
Accountability for government delivery of Australia’s mental health system has never been more important, as our community continues to face unprecedented challenges. To provide this accountability, Australia needs a truly independent National Mental Health Commission.
Read moreCEO Update: Making child and youth mental health a priority
30 October 2024
The results of a recent national mental health in education survey underline the significant role educators and the education system play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Read moreCEO Update: Celebrating Embrace – and inclusive approaches to mental health
23 October 2024
With more than half of Australia’s population having been born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas, an increase in people finding refuge and safety in Australia, the continued impact of racism and discrimination, and current global conflicts, the need for more inclusive approaches to mental health is greater than ever.
Read moreCEO Update: National Carers Week 2024 – It’s time to show them we care
16 October 2024
National Carers Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the more than three million people in Australia who are unpaid carers.
Read more
CEO Update: Why Meaningful Connections Matter this World Mental Health Day
10 October 2024
World Mental Health Day on 10 October is a time to put mental health in the spotlight, raise awareness and break down stigma. This year for Mental Health Australia’s World Mental Health Day campaign we have focussed on why meaningful connections matter, and why they are so important for good mental health.
Read moreCEO Update: Help is needed way earlier for better child mental health
2 October 2024
Today, National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds will address the National Press Club in Canberra, bringing children’s safety and wellbeing into focus.
Read moreCEO Update: Coming together to address gaps in psychosocial supports
25 September 2024
Our sector is undergoing significant changes including multiple, large-scale reforms in psychosocial supports. Which is why tomorrow we’re establishing a Mental Health Australia Members Psychosocial Network to create a platform for member input to our policy and advocacy positions in this area, and to facilitate collective advocacy on addressing the gap in psychosocial supports outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Read moreCEO Update: Improving mental health – a blanket ban on social media is not the answer
18 September 2024
The proposal to set a minimum age for access to social media and other digital platforms announced by the Australian Government last week has sparked intense debate about the effects of online content on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Read moreCEO Update: We all have a role in preventing suicide
11 September 2024
It’s crucial to pause and reflect on the urgent need for collective action in preventing suicide. On 10 September each year, we have the opportunity to rally together for World Suicide Prevention Day.
Read moreCEO Update: Standing with Defence and veteran communities for change and accountability
4 September 2024
Last week Mental Health Australia co-hosted the Members and Leaders Forum with Mental Health First Aid, which brought together leaders, advocates, and professionals across the mental health sector to learn from our overseas counterparts about a whole-of-system approach to mental health care.
Read moreCEO Update: Building a stronger future for mental health care
28 August 2024
Last week Mental Health Australia co-hosted the Members and Leaders Forum with Mental Health First Aid, which brought together leaders, advocates, and professionals across the mental health sector to learn from our overseas counterparts about a whole-of-system approach to mental health care.
Read moreCEO Update: Governments progress mental health sector priorities
21 August 2024
The future of mental health in Australia has taken a promising step forward over the last week, as the Australian and state and territory governments have shown a united front in addressing some of the recommended priorities of the mental health sector.
Read moreCEO Update: Unified sector priorities for Ministers’ meeting
14 August 2024
Mental Health Australia has been joined by 80 mental health organisations across the country calling for Health and Mental Health Ministers to take serious action at the Ministers’ meeting this Friday.
Read moreCEO Update: A new era of unity and advocacy
7 August 2024
Today we are launching our next 5-year strategy, which marks a pivotal moment in Mental Health Australia’s journey.
Read moreCEO Update: The importance of regional responses
31 July 2024
The latest release of data from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing published on Friday gives us new information about the level of mental health challenges in more specific areas than we’ve had before.
Read moreCEO Update: Using data to drive change
24 July 2024
Last week Mental Health Australia was pleased to host a special webinar in collaboration with the National Mental Health Commission for our members to learn more details about the recently released National Report Card 2023.
Read moreCEO Update: National Mental Health Report Card
10 July 2024
NAIDOC WEEK - A special message from Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, CEO, Rachel Fishlock, and last week The National Mental Health Commission released the 2023 National Mental Health Report Card, which presents concerning data about the state of mental health in Australia.
Read moreCEO Update: Shining a light
3 July 2024
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide last month published our book, Shining A Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing, honouring those with lived experience who have contributed to our landmark inquiry.
Read moreCEO Update: Lived experience leadership in psychosocial reform
26 June 2024
We’re on the precipice of significant reform in psychosocial services. Australian, State and Territory Governments are finalising the Analysis of the Unmet Need for Psychosocial Support Outside the NDIS, and have agreed to jointly design and fund Foundational Supports outside the NDIS.
Read moreCEO Update: Winter solstice a time for reflection, connection and renewal
19 June 2024
As the winter solstice approaches this Friday, communities across Australia will recognise the day in a variety of ways from bonfires to naked swims. In the regional New South Wales town of Albury, the 21st of June has an even more profound significance.
Read moreCEO Update: Next step towards a Human Rights Act
12 June 2024
In his last presentation to the United Nations Human Rights Council as a Special Rapporteur, Mr Dainius Pūras articulated what so many in the mental health – and particularly lived experience movement – have been calling for.
Read moreCEO Update: Supporting the mental health of people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
5 June 2024
The current political debate around our country’s migration policies has highlighted the importance of us having a community and culture that celebrates and respects diversity; provides a strong sense of belonging and inclusion; and includes a mental health system that supports the needs of all people in Australia, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Read moreCEO Update: Scaling up early intervention services
29 May 2024
The people of Australia received positive news a fortnight ago with the Federal Budget announcement of $163.9m for a new national early intervention service that is free of charge with no need for referral.
Read moreCEO Update: Collaboration the way to achieve meaningful reform
22 May 2024
The strength of the mental health sector lies in our ability to pull together to work towards our common goal of improving the mental health of Australia.
Read moreCEO Update: Funding for mental health falls short in Federal Budget
15 May 2024
The 2024/25 Federal Budget has not adequately delivered investment that responds to the scale of the problem we know exists in our community.
Read moreCEO Update: Getting the architecture of the mental health system right
8 May 2024
Our mental health system stands at a pivotal juncture, with multiple avenues of reform converging to shape its future trajectory.
Read moreCEO Update: Refocussing on mental health reform
1 May 2024
April has been a significant month for Mental Health Australia and the Australian community more broadly. Collectively we experienced shock and distress in the wake of multiple violent attacks in Sydney, leaving us all with more questions than answers.
Read moreCEO Update: Finding compassion and connection
24 April 2024
This week I've invited Professor Sharon Lawn, Executive Director of Lived Experience Australia and Mental Health Australia Board member to share some of her reflections with us following the incident at Bondi. This is a very difficult time for the lived experience community and the mental health sector more broadly, and Lived Experience Australia has written powerfully about improving community dialogue around this incident and continuing to care for each other and ourselves through this time.
Read moreCEO Update: Supporting each other during this challenging time
15 April 2024
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.
Read moreCEO Update: The mental health impacts of climate change
10 April 2024
Over the past week, the extreme rain events across the majority of eastern Australia - including in the capital cities of Sydney and Brisbane - have highlighted the mental health implications of the climate crisis for our communities, our wellbeing and our mental health system.
Read moreCEO Update: Investment in low-intensity services overdue
3 April 2024
According to Suicide Prevention Australia's latest quarterly survey, half of all people in Australia nationally are reporting elevated cost-of-living and personal debt distress.
Read moreCEO Update: Rethinking psychosocial supports so people can thrive
28 March 2024
Yesterday I joined CEOs and executive leaders, support coordinators and workers, policy makers, advocates and academics at the 2024 NDIS Conference to deliver a keynote speech on the transformation of the provision of psychosocial supports through the NDIS and Foundational Supports outside the NDIS.
Read moreCEO Update: Social determinants of health must be prioritised in Federal Budget
20 March 2024
The circumstances in which we’re born, grow, work, live and age have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Research measuring this impact suggests that social determinants of health such as income level, employment status, access to housing and social connection, can account for between 30 to 55 per cent of health outcomes.
Read moreCEO Update: Changing Australia’s mental health trajectory with preventive measures
13 March 2024
This week I was delighted to virtually attend the inaugural Preventive Mental Health Symposium, hosted by the Public Health Association of Australia in partnership with Beyond Blue. The symposium brought together leaders from across public and mental health sectors to discuss how we can collectively amplify our efforts in promoting mental wellbeing and preventing mental health conditions.
Read moreCEO Update: Championing mental health in the workplace
6 March 2024
The recent introduction of the ‘Right to Disconnect’ legislation has brought employee mental health and wellbeing to the forefront of public discussion. Safe Work Australia’s latest report on psychological health in Australian workplaces shows we have a long way to go.
Read moreCEO Update: Lived experience leadership key to successful mental health reform
28 February 2024
Last week was an important milestone in the evolution of Australia’s mental health system, with representatives of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Senior Officials Lived Experience Group joining us for the first induction session in Canberra.
Read moreCEO Update: Implement the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration to progress Closing the Gap
21 February 2024
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap, signed in July 2020, was meant to bring about a fundamentally new way of developing and implementing policies and programs that impact on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap is built on the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of services that affect us, better life outcomes are achieved.
Read moreCEO Update: Investing in community-based psychosocial supports is key to reform
7 February 2024
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently reflected on the importance of his government being driven by “…strong and simple principles – no-one held back, no-one left behind.” Unfortunately, many people living with mental health conditions, and their family, carers and supporters, are being left behind in our service system. As the Prime Minister said, we must enable all Australians to “aim high, pursue dreams and reach their potential”, and this aspiration must be inclusive, it must lift everyone up.
Read more