Refocussing on mental health reform
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.
With the issue of mental health in the limelight of mainstream media, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison reiterated how common it is to experience mental ill-health by sharing that he received treatment for anxiety while in office.
It was also with sadness we saw the departure of Matt Berriman as Board Chair of Mental Health Australia last week, after three years of publicly sharing his lived experience of mental illness to advocate for change in mental health.
Not since the COVID-19 pandemic has mental health been so widely discussed, from headlining prime-time news to the family dining room table.
In light of these events, I’ve been deeply reflecting on what needs to change to fundamentally improve mental health in Australia.
There are multiple ways to achieve significant societal and system change. It’s often driven by a groundswell of community activism, led by voices of lived experience, backed up by research and evidence, the insights and expertise from those working on the front line, along with changes in legislation and government policy and funding decisions. In areas like mental health, we also need to shift where power lies, and overcome persistent stigma and discrimination.
It’s complex and long-term work, where change happens over generations, rather than election cycles.
We all have different and important roles to play in making positive change happen.
For over 25 years Mental Health Australia has advocated for mental health reform, and we will continue to drive policy changes and proactively put mental health on the agenda of decision-makers into the future.
Whether it’s through developing and advocating for the solutions in our 2024-2025 Pre-Budget Submission; participating in federal government consultation processes such as the Mental Health Reform Advisory Committee established by the Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon. Mark Butler MP; or influencing the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 (for more details, see below), every action contributes to reforming our mental health system.
As we lead through this time, particularly with the Federal Budget just weeks away, we’re presented with opportunities to keep mental health on the national agenda. We will continue to work productively with all levels of government, the mental health sector, and those with lived experience, to draw on our collective expertise to drive improvements in mental health. Working collectively is the strongest way we can achieve our vision of mentally healthy people and mentally healthy communities.
Carolyn Nikoloski
CEO, Mental Health Australia | 
