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.
I saw this collaborative spirit that defines our work firsthand last week at Mental Health Australia’s Members Policy Forum in Canberra.
I was thrilled that we were joined by over 130 CEOs, executives, and leaders from across 77 of our member organisations - a record number for our Forums, and one I hope we will continue to grow in the lead-up to the Federal Election next year.
Alongside lived experience and sector leaders, we were also joined by some of our country’s key decision makers, who saw the opportunity to address Forum attendees as fundamental in continuing to build the relationship between the mental health sector and government.
It was personally heart-warming to hear the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP say that he “really values this relationship [with Mental Health Australia]” and that our organisation “plays such an important role in bringing a very diverse sector together… and puts to government some really important ideas about how we can do better as a country.”
This willingness to work alongside us as a collective, to improve the mental health system for all people in Australia, is the only way we will be able to see the changes we need – so that we’re both preventing mental health conditions from developing in the first place, and ensuring that all people can receive the supports they need, in the time and way they need them, regardless of postcode or income.
This doesn’t mean there isn’t a long way to go.
We were disappointed that mental health funding wasn’t prioritised in the Federal Budget announcements, and did not adequately deliver the investment needed to respond to the scale of the problem that exists in our community.
Mental Health Australia and many of our member organisations welcomed the investments that were announced, however, they are broad, but not deep.
This is why we still must keep the door open and maintain strong working relationships with the government to ensure the needs of our communities, and the sector, are being heard and prioritised.
I believe the government is listening to us. And the stronger our collective voices of a unified vision for mental health reform, the more impact our efforts to advocate for reform will be.
I will leave you with the words of Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Honourable Emma McBride MP, who visibly showed her commitment to mental health when she addressed the room at Old Parliament House:
“We need to pull together. This isn’t a problem that we can individually solve. It’s one that so many people in this room have given their hearts and their minds to for the whole of their working lives… You are making a difference. I know the problem we face is complex, but I know collectively we can meet that challenge.”
Carolyn Nikoloski CEO, Mental Health Australia |