News from the CEO
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 moreThe 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 moreShining 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 moreWeekly Update: 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 moreWeekly Update: 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 …
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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 moreWeekly Update: Mobilising for mental health
30 October 2025
With Mental Health Month (October) 2025 drawing to a close, it’s timely to reflect on the value of community-driven campaigns and events to generate conversations and actions on mental health and wellbeing.
Read moreWeekly Update: Investing in the primary care workforce to better support community needs
23 October 2025
Recent research from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) highlights the important role GPs play in providing mental health support, and the pressure on the primary care system to meet increasing levels of demand for mental health care.
Read moreWeekly Update: National Carers Week – You are one, know one, or will be one. Caring is everywhere.
16 October 2025
This week we mark National Carers Week (12-18 October 2025) with a guest message from Katrina Armstrong, CEO of Mental Health Carers Australia, the national peak body for mental health families, carers and kin.
Read moreWeekly Update: Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day – a time to connect with your community for good mental health
9 October 2025
Tomorrow, Friday 10 October, is World Mental Health Day, a day of global reflection on the importance of strong mental health across our communities. Mental Health Australia’s theme for World Mental Health Day this year is “Connect with your community”, in recognition of the important role social connection plays in supporting our mental health and wellbeing.
Read moreWeekly Update: Psychosocial supports – a path forward to address unmet needs
2 October 2025
Psychosocial supports are a critical component of our mental health system – and unfortunately, an area where there are significant gaps in our system. Last year Governments released a report which showed that almost 500,000 people who need access to psychosocial supports are missing out. Despite calls from the mental health sector to act, we haven’t yet seen the leadership and investments needed from Australian governments to respond to this high level of need.
Read moreWeekly Update: Measuring what matters for a better future
25 September 2025
Last week, the Federal Government released the second annual update to its Measuring What Matters dashboard. Measuring What Matters is Australia’s first wellbeing framework. It tracks Australia’s prog…
Read moreWeekly Update: It’s time for a greater focus on the prevention of mental ill-health
18 September 2025
Next week, I will join mental health policy, research and practice advocates and leaders at Everymind’s Prevention in Practice Summit 2025 in Sydney. The Summit is focused on bridging the knowledge-to-practice gap in the prevention of mental ill-health.
Read moreWeekly Update: Changing the narrative
11 September 2025
Many of you will be undertaking activities this week to acknowledge World Suicide Prevention Day and this year’s theme, “Changing the Narrative”. Others will take time to pause and reflect. The theme for 2025 is a powerful reminder that we must move from silence and shame toward openness, empathy and support.
Read moreWeekly Update: Community voices and clear sector solutions: mental health on Parliament’s agenda
5 September 2025
I was heartened to see that mental health was firmly on the agenda in Parliament last week as MPs returned to Canberra for week two of the Spring sitting. Following recent, extensive national discussions about Australia’s productivity, inaugural speeches and parliamentary debate provided opportunities for members and senators to share personal and community perspectives on mental health and the role affordable, reliable and compassionate care plays in building mentally healthy communities.
Read moreWeekly Update: Building proud futures for generations to come
28 August 2025
This week I am delighted to be attending Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia’s National Conference in Garramilla (Darwin), on the lands of the Larrakia people. This year’s theme, “Proud Futures”, recognises and celebrates the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in championing the next generation, by celebrating identity, being strong in self-determination and creating a future legacy for cultural continuity for the next 65,000-plus years.
Read moreCEO Update: Timing is key – the case for a new National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement in 2026
21 August 2025
Yesterday, I addressed a public hearing into the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. It was an opportunity to reiterate opportunities to improve the Agreement, as set out in Mental Health Australia’s submission in response to the Commission’s interim report, and informed by our consultation with members.
Read moreWeekly Update: Investing in mental health is essential to improving Australia’s productivity
14 August 2025
Next week, leaders will gather in Canberra for the Economic Reform Roundtable, to discuss opportunities to improve economic productivity, build economic resilience and strengthen the federal budget. This will be a defining moment in the Treasurer’s second term, and is likely to inform the Albanese Government’s economic and fiscal agenda for the next few years.
Read moreWeekly Update: This week is Loneliness Awareness Week – let's make moments matter
7 August 2025
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.
Read moreWeekly Update: A “fair go” for everyone – equity cannot be overlooked in mental health reform
1 August 2025
CEO Message A “fair go” for everyone – equity cannot be overlooked in mental health reform The National Mental Health Commission’s latest National Report Card is a welcome and importan…
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