Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise this evening to support the motion by the member for Hunter. Men's mental health is an issue of national importance. It's one where we should all be working together to deliver better outcomes. We see it all around us, no matter where we are. Men show up at work and they support their families. They crack a joke, and they put a smile on faces. But when they turn away from the world, they struggle. All too often, they struggle alone day after day, year after year. The struggle becomes a fight—a fight against an enemy only they can see. It's in their own mind. Since we were boys, we've always been told to just 'man up', and that's what we do. But, sadly, it often can be too much to bear. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australian men between the ages of 18 and 44. As many as two in three men forgo mental health support, and around half believe avoiding a health check-up is normal.

These are national problems that we should talk about, and I'm proud that this government is supporting the mental health of Australians, no matter where they live. Our government, the Albanese Labor government, supports a range of mental health and suicide prevention services to support all Australians, with an estimated $7.8 billion in funding in 2025-26 across the Health, Disability and Ageing portfolio. Under the Strengthening Medicare program, $1.1 billion is being invested in mental health. We're expanding services, employing extra clinicians and reducing waiting times for young people seeking mental health care. These steps are consistent with what the National Men's Health Strategy 2020-2030 said. The government has recognised that there are five key priority issues: mental health and wellbeing; chronic conditions; sexual and reproductive health and conditions; injuries and risk-taking behaviour, which we've all done; and healthy ageing. With these issues front of mind, we are committed to the goal that every man and boy in Australia is supported to live a long, fulfilling and healthy life.

We must break the stigma that still sees men's support and men's mental health being shunned, and that's why we've got to continue to make this a top priority for our government. It's why our government is investing $11.3 million for Movember's Men in Mind training and GP campaign, $7.4 million for Movember's Ahead of the Game program, $3 million for the Healthy Male's Plus Paternal initiative, and $2 million for the Black Dog Institute to research men's mental health and suicide prevention at the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing. The funding will strengthen support networks. It expands professional training and bankrolls crucial research into future policy decisions.

We've got to single out the additional $8.3 million committed to Men's Shed to expand the health and mental health initiatives. As chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Men's Shed, I've seen the benefits of having a space for men to connect. Sheds give men the place to start having a healthy conversation and to do that with their peers. When a man feels healthier and more connected, this has a ripple effect throughout the rest of his life. When we help individuals, we help their partners, children, friends, family and all those who depend on them. Sheds also play a huge role in helping younger men feel comfortable about speaking up. When older men talk openly about their health or their own struggles, it destigmatises the conversation. Down the track, if a young man is struggling, he feels able to reach out. At the end of the day, sheds save lives. We must continue to work to break down the stigma that prevents men from seeking help. We must keep building a culture where speaking up is a sign of strength not one of weakness. We need to do better at this, and governments of all levels—state, federal and local—need to continue their support.

Our government is working tirelessly to support men's mental health. Every day that a genuine conversation happens, a man stops suffering in silence. These things happen on a daily basis, and we've seen the work that's been done by our Special Envoy for Men's Health, the member for Hunter—I'm glad he wore that suit because I reckon I'd look like the Partridge family bus if I'd put that on!

We see that work happening, but it also happens locally as with Jack Bamford, a local bloke from up in Kyneton. If you talk about rough lives, Jack's had two rolled into one. But rather than sit back and wallow, Jack started a men's mental health fishing day. It's a great thing to be involved in. We all just go fishing. You sit down, you relax, you can talk about it, and there's professional help and support there.

Suicide is a scourge. It's touched every one of us—I know that myself. But everything we can do to help to make lives better and to bring a better outcome is something that benefits our entire community. So speak up. Don't think it's a sign of weakness. Use your strength. Use your arm. Use your voice. We've all got two ears and a shoulder to lean on. Let's use them, because that's the way we get a better country for our future. So I commend this motion to the House.

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