Investing to Save - KPMG and Mental Health Australia report - May 2018

One in five Australians will experience a mental illness in the next 12 months, almost 50% of us in our lifetimes. Saturday 10 October is World Mental Health Day. On this day Australians are asked to make a personal mental health promise to themselves at https://1010.org.au/ and share it on social media. “Mental illness impacts so many in our community. But if we can recognise the signs and do something about it early, we can significantly reduce the impact it can have on our lives. Unfortunately, our research shows less than one in five Australians regularly seeks help when they are stressed or down. This suggests people could be neglecting their mental health for too long,” Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan said today. Australia currently has a mental health system that is fragmented and difficult to navigate. The Australian Government has indicated it will launch a substantial mental health reform package before the end of 2015. Mental Health Australia has urged the Government to take a bold approach to reform.

Read about our Distributed Advocacy Day, plans for World Mental Health Day, a Menslink breakfast and EAGALA

It’s World Suicide Prevention Day, read about the activities being held to mark this important day. Also, you can download our submission to the Department of Health on priorities for mental health reform as well as the outcomes of this week’s NMHCCF meeting

As part of our joint ‘Countdown to Reform’ campaign, we are now calling on you to meet with your local federal politicians. This ‘Distributed Advocacy Day’ is the next key part of our campaign. The aim of this activity is to engage with federal Members and Senators in their own electorates over the coming weeks, to highlight the local and national issues we face in relation to mental health reform, transition and sustainability.