Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Recently I joined the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and the member for Macarthur at the opening of the Medicare Mental Health Centre in Campbelltown. The service is beautiful, calm, welcoming place, close to Campbelltown railway station and the bus interchange, and there's parking in proximity. The service is open seven days a week, and, like all Medicare Mental Health Centres, it has a range of support professionals including peer support workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and wrap around supports when you walk in. Medicare Mental Health Centres are free. All you need is your Medicare card, and they're available for you to walk in and find support straight away.

The Campbelltown centre is also special because it's the 50th Medicare Mental Health Centre that has opened in Australia and the 44th opened since the Albanese government was elected in 2022. For anyone needing support, there is also a Medicare Mental Health Centre located in Liverpool on Macquarie Street. All the details are on the website if you need them.

I'm looking forward to joining the assistant-minister in opening our own Medicare Mental Health Centre in Werriwa in 2026. No-one has worked harder than the members for Hindmarsh and Dobell to provide support for Australians seeking help with their mental health. The Albanese government is investing an historic $1.1 billion over a range of incentives to deliver new and expanded mental health services across the whole of your life, working with state and territory governments to provide affordable and often free support as soon as possible. In 2025, as part of the $41.1 billion mental health election commitment, we committed to boosting the number of Medicare Mental Health Centres by 30, taking the total to 91. In my part of the world, my opponents did not even match this commitment to deliver any more community based mental health services.

As part of the Albanese government's plan to strengthen Medicare with this historic $1.1. billion commitment, people will be able to access mental health support whatever age they are. This includes: the 91 mental health centres and multidisciplinary teams; the 20 perinatal mental health centres delivering support for new and expectant parents; the 17 Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs, providing children and families with behavioural, social, emotional and wellbeing support; and the 203 headspace services supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 12 to 25. Many of these services are already up and running.

Early in 2026, the Albanese government will be rolling out the new National Early Intervention Service. The service will deliver free mental health phone and online support from trained professionals, and it is expected that will support over 150,000 people each year. We know that the sooner someone finds support that is right for them the sooner they start feeling better. It's not only for them but for their families, work colleagues and, of course, the community as a whole. Providing more free public mental health services for Australians with different levels of need will help relieve the pressures on subsidised services provided by private psychologists.

We're also building the mental health workforce. This includes 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places. This is complemented by our work to professionalise the peer workforce, because we value lived experience. Next year we're establishing a new peer workforce association and undertaking a census of the peer workforce. As we expand the range of free services, the Medicare Mental Health phone line—which is 1800595212 if you want to ring them—and the website medicarementalhealth.gov.au will help Australians find the service that is right for them.

In Mental Health Month in 2024, the assistant minister and I opened the new headspace at Edmondson Park in the electorate of Werriwa. The centre is located in the shopping centre, across the road from the Edmondson Park railway and bus terminal, and it's been kicking goals since then. The Youth Reference Group is made up of more than 14 amazing young people. They are working hard to ensure that the needs of all young people in the area are addressed by the centre. Recently, they held a trivia night to raise funds for the work of headspace. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the event, but I'm told the night was a fantastic success with many in attendance. I'd like to thank the Youth Reference Group again for their insight and hard work and also all the staff at the Edmondson Park headspace. You're providing so much, much-needed support to our community. The work they're doing is not just in the centre. They also do significant outreach to several high schools in our community.

I note that the shadow minister, in his reply speech in the House, claimed that the government was not delivering on early intervention services. As the minister said in her speech, we're establishing the new National Early Intervention Service, and that will be up and running early in January next year, providing phone and online mental support. The shadow minister also stated that our government was simply rebadging Liberal government projects. That couldn't be further from the truth. Under the Liberals, fewer than 10 pop-up Head to Health centres were established. We are now working towards 91 Medicare mental health systems, providing all services from peer support to psychologists and psychiatrists as a free, one-stop shop if you need that help. We've also established the virtual network to ensure every centre has access to psychologists and psychiatrists when they need it.

I'm proud to be part of a government that is doing so much to support the health of Australians, with historic levels of funding for Medicare improving access and costs for GP visits and especially more opportunities for bulk-billed services, cheaper medicines from 1 January next year and more than $1 billion invested in mental health support. The mental health support ranges from telephone to walk-in Medicare mental health centres and headspace, and the government is training more support workers, psychologists and peer support workers to ensure that all Australians in the future have an option to improve their lives, support their families and do wonders for our community.

Matt Smith (Leichhardt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak on the statement made by the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention about Mental Health Month. Unlike the days when people were derided when something was wrong with them, I am proud that we are here today in this place speaking about mental health. Not long ago in the chamber, I read a speech from a young leader in our community in Leichhardt, Claudia, about the desperate situation facing many young people in regional areas.

The situation is even more desperate in our remote and rural communities, where regular mental health services are essentially non-existent. The Mental Health Month theme this year is 'taking steps on your wellbeing journey'. It is a journey many of us know, and I'm sure we all know someone who has suffered through dark times. Hopefully, we know someone who has pulled through. Sadly, though, some don't make it out of the darkness, and I am not immune. My life from an outside perspective was fairly blessed. I was playing professional sport and had a family. Things were going well. Basketball was taken away from me. Age, talent—whatever it might have been. I was no longer required. Basketball had provided me with an identity, a structure, an understanding of my place in the world, a bubble. From 16 to 30, all I had to think about was that. People looked after my medical needs. They looked after my rent, my houses. People booked holidays for me. I had no life skills. I could not operate in the real world. When that safety net was removed from me, I crashed. I didn't know where to turn for help. The hypermasculine version of professional sport tells you to harden up, tells you to square your shoulders and take the hit, tells you to keep moving forward. No matter how hard I would try to live by that ethos, I drowned. I got further and further down.

I required intervention from people that loved me—from my friends, from my former teammates, from my family. They had to find ways to bring me back. It was not a journey that I could take alone. I wasn't strong enough, and it wasn't a question of strength. It was a question of fatigue. People think that mental health and depression is sad all the time. It's not. It's numbness. It's blankness. It's fear. It's panic. It's heavy and it's exhausting. It is not something that people should try to face alone. And I am glad—thrilled, even—that we are able to take these steps as a parliament, as leaders to say to our communities: 'It is okay. Things aren't always going to be linear. Things aren't always going to go in a straight line. Things aren't always going to be great. But there are people and services out there that can help you. There are people who love you, who want to see you be your best again, and, with a bit of hard work, you can be.

You might not get back to where you were. I am not the same person that I was as a basketballer. I am better, more empathetic. I understand myself more. It was a journey I don't wish on somebody else, but was a journey that I needed to take, and I wouldn't be standing here without the love and the support and the help of external forces. That's the thing that buries people: they think they have to take it on alone. That's why I'm proud to be a part of this government that is rolling out more help for mental health, because people don't have to do this alone. It can get isolating and you can feel trapped.

Part of this is obviously the $1.1 billion mental health package, the single biggest investment in mental health services, delivering more support and care in communities, backed by Medicare. Speaking to GPs, we know that most presentations these days—somewhere around 70 per cent in my area—are related to mental health and mental health issues. My region was rocked. COVID was very difficult for a service and tourism based economy. The subsequent natural disasters have been difficult as well. Entire communities—Wujal Wujal was displaced, sending elders to different parts of the region, taking away that connection to community, making children go to school in places they weren't familiar. Mossman was cut off for weeks. People went stir-crazy. It was difficult. My region has suffered, and that's why we're doing things like opening the mental health urgent care clinic. We're doing the things that matter on the ground to provide the services that people need so that they know that, when things get rough, they can reach out. Sometimes it's a whole community.

The free walk-in care with extended hours with no referral or appointment is a game changer. Sometimes it can be hard to get a GP. Sometimes it can be hard to take that step, to make that phone call, to have that appointment. But, if you can walk in and go, 'I need help,' and know that there's someone there that is trained, capable and empathetic to help you, that will save lives. Absolutely, it will. A multidisciplinary team, whether you need psychology, a psychiatric intervention or some social work, will be there for you in a Medicare mental health clinic.

But it's not just the mental health clinics. For new and expecting parents, we're partnering with the Gidget Foundation to open 20 perinatal mental health centres. Changes in life bring struggles. Children, as I've discovered twice, change things fairly dramatically. If you are unprepared for this, you can start to struggle. You can start to drown. Birth, pregnancy, menopause and perimenopause can play games hormonally with women, sometimes making mental health more and more critical. This is why places like the Gidget Foundation exist. They offer vital care. And it's not just women. One in 10 men also experience mental health issues upon the birth of a child. I experienced less sleep; I was one of the lucky ones.

For children aged nought to 12 and their families, we're opening 17 Medicare mental health kids hubs in partnership with state and territory governments. We are finding that mental health issues are impacting younger and younger children, which is why the social media ban for under-16s is so important. Let our kids be kids. Let them frolic outside, the way people my age did when we were younger. Let them have a break. If school is hard with a device, school can follow you home. Without a device, you would be safe and free. We are giving this back to the children of Australia.

For young Australians aged 12 to 25, we're strengthening the headspace centres, including in my own region. When headspace was first introduced 20 years ago, one in five young people experienced mental health distress in any 12-month period. That has now doubled to two in five. We can't pretend that the advent of social media or that COVID didn't change the way our young people see the world, which is why we're opening 58 new expanded headspace services across the country. That will be 203 services understanding the unique challenges and pressures of young people.

For those of us who remember that 18 to 25 range, there is a lot of potential and a lot of hope, but there's also a lot of pressure. Pressure comes from family. Pressure comes from external sources—from university or from work. You're an adult, but you're not quite there. Certain things are expected of you, but you're not quite understanding it. It's hard and you can get lost. But headspace is designed specifically to cater to the young, for their needs.

Mental health is not a 'one size fits all' approach. Different stages of your life will require different types of help. Sometimes it will be peer support. Sometimes it might be a clinical intervention. These packages make sure that the full gamut is taken care of so that a broad brush is not used and we watch people slip through the cracks—because it is about people. It's wives, daughters, husbands, fathers, cousins and brothers. Every mental health illness brings a cost to those around them. By providing this support, we strengthen families, we strengthen people and we strengthen our country. I am very, very proud to be a part of this. My own struggles notwithstanding, this makes Australia better.

Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to acknowledge the contribution of the member for Leichhardt. This is a place where really personal stories get shared—that's what we all bring to our roles—and it's important for others to hear them. When I think about mental health, I cannot foresee a time when I will ever say, 'Job done. We've done all we need to do.' I just cannot see that we will get to a point where there isn't more to do, because it feels like there will always be more to do. But Mental Health Month does provide an opportunity to reflect on progress, and I'm very proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government, which is delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities right across the country. I'm also really proud to have been one of the advocates who has helped ensure that this is a key focus for this government.

When I look back to the start of my time in parliament, access to free mental health services was available only in acute situations—essentially when you were hospitalised. the biggest change I've seen in that decade is access to free early intervention and ongoing management care for complex mental health issues through places like headspace and Medicare mental health centres. It truly is transformational. When I came to this place in 2016 there simply was no free mental health service where young people could front up before something happened, before they reached a crisis. After years of advocating we were able to secure, first of all, the Katoomba headspace and then in more recent years the Richmond headspace, and of course the Penrith headspace was one that we set up last time we were in government. These have provided and continue to provide access to young people.

That's why I support the expansion of these services. We're expanding to 203 headspace services to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged between 12 and 25. You might say, 'Well, that's great for young people, but what about adults?' My experience is that some older people who are able to go to headspace are opting for an alternative service, which is the Medicare mental health centre, a place that anyone of any age can walk into and ask for help. I think that's the key thing: it's the ability to walk in, at any time, to ask for help. And the centres are not just open from Monday to Friday, nine to five. The Medicare mental health centre in Penrith is open seven days a week and the one in Richmond is open six days a week, including Thursday and Saturday evenings. As the mother of someone who's experienced complex mental health issues throughout their life, I can assure you that it never happens between nine and five, and that's been taken into account in so many of the services that have already rolled out and that are in the process of being rolled out.

I recently visited the Penrith Medicare mental health centre with Assistant Minister McBride. The centres are staffed by multidisciplinary teams with mental health clinicians and, importantly, peer workers. These peer workers are a vital part of the process. I see them at my Richmond centre and at the Hawkesbury centre as well as at the Penrith one. They're located in every Medicare mental health centre. It means they meet you on your level. They've been there. They've walked in your shoes. Care in these centres is tailored to the needs of each person, with wraparound support for people who have more ongoing need. No appointment, no referral, no mental health treatment plan is needed. You literally walk in.

Ninety-one Medicare mental health centres are on their way, offering free walk-in care from this multidisciplinary team. The expansion has been part of our plan to strengthen Medicare, and we made a historic $1.1 billion commitment at the election to deliver these new and expanded mental health services. It's across the whole lifespan of Australians. It includes 20 perinatal mental health centres to deliver support for new and expectant parents. I had a fantastic update just this week on the plans for the Penrith service, and I'm really looking forward to more details of the location of that one coming out, because we know how important those first few years are. They can be tough on mums and dads, but they are formative for children. So these perinatal mental health centres will unlock a whole other way of accessing support at a time when things are already quite complex. Even if everything's going well, it's never the easiest time in a parent's life, especially a mum's life.

We're also creating 17 Mental Health Kids Hubs to provide children and families with behavioural, social, emotional and wellbeing support. We're really looking at these free services being expanded across the entire range of need. From early next year we're rolling out the new National Early Intervention Service, which will deliver free phone and online mental health support from trained professionals. We received the details this week of the organisation selected to deliver this free digital mental health service. It's going to be called Medicare Mental Health Check In, and St Vincent's Health Australia has been tasked to deliver this service from 1 January next year.

The Medicare Mental Health Check In is part of our commitment to making sure that, no matter where you are—whether you're in periurban areas like mine, whether you're at the top of the Blue Mountains or beyond, whether you're way up in the world heritage area and not easily able to access centres in places like Richmond, Penrith or Katoomba—you can access support. This is a free digital mental health tool. It'll give you access to self-help tools and low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy. CBT is part of so many support treatments that people receive. It'll be delivered by trained professionals via phone or video. I'm very excited to see the impact that the Medicare Mental Health Check In will have. It's for anyone over 16, and you don't need a referral from your GP to access it.

We'll also be encouraging people to seek help early. Having personally experienced the quality of care of the St Vincent's mental health team in our family, I look forward to seeing the product they roll out and how they work with the various stakeholders to get this right. Everyone should know the Medicare mental health phone line: 1800 595 212. Everyone should know that there's a Medicare mental health website, medicarementalhealth.gov.au, to help you find the service you need.

You can't do any of this unless you build a workforce. Reflecting back, we have been able to build that workforce, with more than 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places, plus our focus on peer support workers. Next year we'll establish a new peer workforce association with a census of peer workers.

I know I'm not alone in advocating for better mental health services, and I really want to pay tribute to Assistant Minister McBride, who has used her professional experience in the sector to drive so much of the reform that we're seeing, along with the Minister for Health and Ageing. Our special envoy for men's health, the member for Hunter, has met people in my electorate, including Panthers, the Nepean/Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury prostate group, Walk it Off, Men's Shed and Lions, to hear their stories and concerns around mental health. The Panthers wellbeing officer, Kevin Kingston, shared the work being done to focus on wellbeing on and off the field for players, coaches and support teams. This is work that happens in our community.

I know groups like Reachout are doing incredible work, and I met recently with a delegation of young people, including Sina from Bligh Park, to talk about their research on the need for trusted mental health information online so that young people know what to trust. As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Eating Disorder Awareness, we will continue to do work so that people suffering from an eating disorder can control what they see online. There is so much more to do, and I'm very proud to keep doing it.

David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mental Health Month has been an opportunity for us to reflect on an important issue that deeply affects our community. I thank the member for Macquarie for her fine, fine words. I think the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention put it best when she made her statement on significant matters in the House—she said, 'mental health is health, it's central to how we live, work, and connect.'

I want to thank the assistant minister, the member for Dobell, for her extraordinary work in such an important area of public health and policy. Mental health considerations are front and centre across the work of this government, and that is, in large part, thanks to her work and advocacy, supported by caucus.

Mental Health Month presented us with a moment not only to take stock of the challenge we face with regard to mental health but also to review what our government is doing about it while being cognisant that this is an issue which is with us year-round. We all have a sense of the scale of the challenge that faces Australia. No-one in this place or outside it has avoided being impacted by poor mental health. Millions of Australians experience poor mental health every year. If anyone has not needed mental health care themselves, then they have undoubtedly known and cared about someone who has. Some will experience poor mental health once or twice. For many, it's an ongoing health challenge which requires treatment and care. For too long too many suffered without appropriate, timely or quality health care.

The sheer scale, diversity and complexity of the mental health challenge is staggering. As the assistant minister outlined and reminded us in her statement to the House, mental health is the number one reason that Australians visit their general practitioner today. For eight years in a row, mental health issues have topped the list of concerns that are raised with GPs. More than 70 per cent of general practitioners have reported this trend. The Labor government has been listening to the community and to health practitioners, and we are acting to provide the necessary support and resources for this important challenge.

The theme of Mental Health Month this year was 'Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey'. That is a very good summation of what our government is seeking to facilitate and make easier for all Australians. We're doing this to the tune of $1.1 billion. This is the largest mental health package, the single biggest investment in mental health services, backed by Medicare. What this looks like in practice is impressive. We are establishing 91 new Medicare Mental Health Centres; we are establishing 20 new Perinatal Mental Health Centres; we are establishing 17 Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs, which will provide children and families with behavioural, social, emotional and wellbeing support; and we will establish and support 203 headspace services, which will support the mental health and wellbeing of our young people.

I was happy to host the assistant minister in my electorate of Bean not long ago to see what this $1.1 billion package means on the ground in my community. In July, I opened a new Medicare mental health centre in Tuggeranong with the assistant minister. It is operated by Think Mental Health and funded through $3.5 million to the ACT Primary Health Network. The centre on Eileen Good Street—just down the street from my electorate office—is a welcoming, calm environment staffed by a multidisciplinary care team which includes mental health clinicians and peer workers. The care that they offer is tailored to each person who visits the centre, and, crucially, you don't need an appointment, referral or mental health treatment plan to access support at the centre. All you need is a little piece of green plastic—your Medicare card.

I couldn't be happier that my constituents now have a local, accessible walk-in centre providing mental health support. I've had many conversations with staff over the first few months of its operation, and already they've become a well-understood, -respected and -regarded part of our health ecosystem. Having free, ready, walk-in access to mental health support is a real win for people right across Bean, and it's already making a real and tangible difference on the ground.

But this wonderful Medicare mental health clinic is not the only new piece of mental health infrastructure that will help so many in Bean. Next year, we will deliver a new perinatal mental health centre in Tuggeranong at the same location as the Medicare mental health clinic, in the heart of my electorate.

We know how stressful pregnancy and new parenthood can be and that it's a period when poor mental health can become more common. New and expectant parents in Bean will be able to get free and personalised mental health support through this new centre. This support for families will run from the perinatal period to the first birthday of the baby. We know that the demand is there for these services, and through this centre families will be able to get services without cost. The centre will be operated by the Gidget Foundation, and I can't wait for it to open next year. I would like to applaud the Gidget Foundation for the extraordinary work they've done right across the country in promoting the need for this perinatal support.

Beyond this, and coming up very quickly—in early December—our social media ban for young people under the age of 16 will make a real difference for their mental health. We have been listening to parents, experts and schools. In particular, I've been engaging with local schools on this topic, including today. Today there are two schools from my electorate in here grilling the Prime Minister and the Minister for Communications for Behind the News, that iconic ABC program. And their questions were pretty tough! But both the minister and the Prime Minister were able to provide pretty good responses about why the ban will make such a difference to mental wellbeing for young people right across Australia. The feedback from young people across our schools is clear: social media is a vector for poor mental health that many of them have experienced, and our action on this front will make a real difference to their lives.

The government is taking steps to improve and support the mental health of all Australians. We know there's always more to do, but we're very much moving in the right direction and we are working with our communities of health practice right around the country to do what we can to support Australian families and communities. Thank you.

David Moncrieff (Hughes, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's always an immense privilege to meet the people working on the front line of mental health care in our community—people who show up each day with empathy, professionalism and purpose. Right now two in five young Australians are experiencing mental health distress. That is double the rate from 20 years ago. During Mental Health Month I joined the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, to visit the Liverpool Medicare mental health centre, right in the heart of south-west Sydney. It's one of 50 Medicare mental health centres now open across the country, part of a new model of care that brings mental health support into the middle of communities—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 12:03 to 12:18

It's one of 50 Medicare mental health centres now open across the country, part of a new model of care that brings mental health support into the middle of communities where people live, work and seek help. Since opening in 2023, the Liverpool centre has delivered more than 23,000 occasions of service. That means thousands of people across our region—people who might otherwise have gone without care—have been able to walk through the doors and receive the support they need.

These centres represent a shift in how we think about mental health care. They remove the barriers that too often stop people from seeking help—the need for a referral, a diagnosis or even an appointment. You can simply walk in and be seen by a multidisciplinary team of mental health clinicians, nurses, counsellors and peer workers. These are people who understand the complex medical system but, more importantly, understand people.

When you step inside the Liverpool centre, there's a sense of calm and care that's not common in health care. It doesn't feel clinical or intimidating; it feels human. There's a sense that help is here and that someone is ready to listen. I met staff who spoke about supporting people at some of their lowest moments—people in distress, people who have been waiting too long for support, people who just needed someone to take them seriously. For many, centres like this are the difference between isolation and recovery, between being seen and being overlooked.

This is what the Albanese Labor government means when it says it's putting mental health at the heart of Medicare. It's about building a system that treats mental health just as importantly as physical health, not just as an afterthought, a luxury or a separate lane of care. In Liverpool alone the Albanese government has invested $18.4 million to fund the centre's operations, and it's already transforming lives. In October this government also opened the new Campbelltown Medicare Mental Health Centre, providing even more south-western Sydney residents with access to free walk-in mental health support and care. When we invest in services that meet people where they are, we strengthen the fabric of our community. Mental health isn't an abstract policy. It's deeply personal. It's in every family, every workplace and every street in our suburbs. I've heard firsthand across Hughes from parents worrying about their children; young people struggling with study or work pressures; adults trying to balance family, finances and wellbeing; and seniors feeling isolated. Mental health and resilience is part of all our stories, and that's why this new network of Medicare mental health centres is this government walking the walk not just talking the talk on mental health.

I also had the opportunity to visit headspace Liverpool and headspace Miranda on national mental health day. Both of these services do remarkable work supporting young people across south-west Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. At headspace Liverpool I met a team that's passionate about creating a space where young people feel safe to open up. The service is welcoming, warm and led by people who know that early intervention can make all the difference. It's amazing to see how well networked this program is with local high schools and how these programs are growing from strength to strength. That's why the Albanese government is expanding headspace centres to 203 locations nationwide. Speaking to the staff at headspace Liverpool, you can see how seriously they take that mission—their outreach into schools, TAFEs and community organisations means help isn't hidden behind a waiting list or a long drive. It's part of daily life.

For many young people the hardest step is the first one, which is seeking the help they need. Once they do, the transformation can be incredible. As part of the Albanese Labor government's $1.1 billion mental health election commitment, over $200 million will be invested in 58 new upgraded and expanded headspace services. Headspace Miranda will receive $2.5 million through the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program to hire additional clinicians and relocate the service to expand capacity and improve care.

I visited headspace Miranda to meet with staff and members of their youth reference group and discuss all the great work they're doing. This centre supports young people across the shire, an area that, despite its beauty and strong sense of community, isn't immune to the pressures young people face. At Miranda the team shared stories about how they've supported young people dealing with everything from exam stress to family breakdowns, loneliness and depression. They spoke about how they're seeing an increase in family violence and child protection concerns but also that more young people are reaching out for help earlier, which is highly encouraging.

In the shire I often hear from families who are trying to support their kids through tough times. Sometimes they're not sure what to say or how to help. Services like headspace Miranda give those families a starting point. They give young people a safe space where they can find understanding and care without stigma or judgement. It's not just for crisis care. Headspace helps young people develop the tools and confidence to manage their wellbeing. That building of resilience is critical, and it will last them a lifetime.

When we talk about mental health, we often talk about numbers—how many centres, how many appointments, how much funding. Those numbers matter, but what matters more are the people behind them—the young people who walked into headspace Liverpool and found hope; the peer worker at Miranda who turned their recovery into a career of helping others; and the clinicians at the Liverpool Medicare Mental Health Centre, who open the doors each day to anyone in need with no referral required. These are the people building a better mental health system in real time, and, as a government, we're supporting that with the largest investment in mental health in Australia's history, with $1.1 billion to expand access to community based care backed by Medicare. That means more services, more staff and more options for people at every stage of life. It also means acknowledging that one size doesn't fit all. For new parents, we're opening 20 perinatal mental health centres in partnership with the Gidget Foundation. For children, 17 new Medicare mental health kids hubs are being rolled out across the country. For young people, the headspace network continues to grow and evolve.

All of this work shares a single vision that mental health care should be accessible, compassionate and local. I want to thank each clinician, counsellor, peer worker, receptionist and volunteer that works so hard across these services. Your work is vital. You're saving lives every day, often quietly, without recognition, but always with impact. I also want to thank the families, carers and loved ones who support those experiencing mental ill health. The strength, patience and love you show are the backbone of our community's mental health response.

Mental Health Month's theme this year is 'Taking steps on your wellbeing journey'. From my conversations in Liverpool and Miranda, one message stands: out the first step is often the hardest, but it's also the most powerful. This always bears repeating because of the devastating impacts mental health can have in our community. If you're struggling, reach out. If you're not sure where to start, walk into one of our Medicare mental health centres or your local headspace. You don't need a referral, you don't need to wait and you don't have to do it alone.

Together, we're building a system that meets people with compassion and one that makes it easier to ask for help and easier to get it, because mental health is health, and when we take care of it, our whole community is better off.

Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia is in the midst of a mental health crisis, and the statistics are stark. One in two Australian adults will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives. Three thousand Australians will take their own lives each year as a result of mental ill health. In South Australia, one in five people experience a mental illness every year, and 43 per cent of South Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. While we wouldn't think twice about seeking professional care for a physical injury, too often we treat mental illness with an unseriousness we wouldn't treat the common cold with. That's why Mental Health Month is so important in bringing awareness to an issue which has, for decades, been under prioritised when it comes to government support.

I've worked in and around the mental health space all my life. I've run primary mental health services across South Australia, including in rural and remote areas. I've run primary health services for SA Health in the city, as well as homelessness services for Catherine House and Vinnies. And I've witnessed firsthand the emotional and financial toll that a mental illness can take on a person's life if the mental illness is left unchecked, untreated.

The effects of mental ill health are felt far beyond the individual sufferer. It can have devastating impacts for the family and the community. The factors known to have a causative link to mental ill health are many and various, including unemployment, homelessness, financial insecurity, family and domestic violence, and significant life events. But a lack of accessible and affordable mental health services in the local community can mean a short-term episode becomes a long-term, serious, debilitating illness.

Poor access to mental health services can be due to a range of issues: limited mental health workforce, continuing stigma around mental illness, a lack of collaboration across the different types of mental health services, an unequal concentration of mental health services in metropolitan areas to the detriment of regional and rural areas, and the high demand for mental health services where there is an undersupply of workers.

But there is hope. Hope exists in a government that is prepared to take your mental health seriously—a government that is prepared to acknowledge the fact that a mentally unhealthy Australia means a socially and economically poorer Australia, a government that is prepared to support the most health-vulnerable members of our community by making access to mental health services easier and more affordable, and a government that will continue Labor's proud legacy of ensuring that health care and mental health care is a right and not a privilege.

That's why, as part of our Medicare plan, the Albanese Labor government has committed to investing an historic $1.1 billion to expand and enhance mental health services right across this country. The numbers speak for themselves: 91 Medicare mental health centres, 20 perinatal mental health centres, 17 Medicare mental health kids hubs and 203 headspace services.

In my electorate of Boothby, we have a very well-utilised headspace service helping young Australians between the ages of 12 and 25 navigate their mental health challenges. I visited there recently myself, and the staff do an absolutely excellent job, including one-off, walk-in visits.

In December this year we will open a mental health kids hub in the Marion GP Plus centre, providing crucial early intervention support and resources for children and their families. A Medicare mental health centre will also be established in Marion, providing a free walk-in service delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Work on a perinatal health centre is currently underway in Elizabeth, in northern Adelaide, and we're expecting at least one more in Adelaide as part of Labor's 2025 election commitment. This will support the mental health and wellbeing of mothers and families during and after their pregnancies, a particularly vulnerable time.

These mental health services are in addition to the other facilities currently being built in Boothby. We have a statewide eating-disorder centre which will be established at the Repat hospital in Daw Park, at the very heart of Boothby, providing round-the-clock treatment and outpatient services for those living with an eating disorder. Now close to completion, we're rebuilding and expanding the inpatient mental health service at the Margaret Tobin Centre at Flinders Medical Centre. When completed, it will be able to accommodate 48 mental health beds, including 12 brand-new beds up in the psychiatric intensive care unit.

The Albanese Labor government will also invest $500 million in 20 youth specialist care centres across the country to support young Australians with complex mental health needs, including personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis. This is part of the government's plan to fill what the experts have called 'the missing middle', ensuring that young Australians whose mental health issues warrant neither a GP visit nor hospitalisation can also receive specialist care.

On 1 January next year, the government will launch the National Early Intervention Service, which will provide over-the-phone and online support from trained mental health professionals for those with mild to moderate mental health needs. It will be a free service. You won't need a referral. You won't have to pay a gap fee. We're expecting that this service will support around 150,000 people every year.

The Albanese Labor government's historic $1.1 billion package to fund mental health services across this country reflects Labor's long-held commitment to the idea that an affordable and accessible public health service is for the benefit of all Australians and our community.

Our expansion of mental health services under Medicare will relieve the pressure on subsidised private psychologists, allowing them to work more efficiently and effectively to support those with moderate to high mental health needs. To relieve this pressure further, the government will build up our mental health workforce by funding more than 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places. This will mean more psychology places at universities and more training places for mental health professionals, including for psychiatrists, psychologists and peer workers. The government will also professionalise the peer workforce, establishing a new peer workforce association and undertaking a census of all peer workers. When I worked in mental health for SA Health, we were the first to implement peer workers, and it's great to see this important skilled workforce valued appropriately. They've proven to be invaluable in providing peer support and advocacy across a range of mental health settings.

Significantly, from 1 November this year, the government will expand the eligibility for bulk-billing incentives to all Medicare patients and will create an additional incentive payment for general practices that choose to fully bulk-bill, because the GP is often the first point of contact for those seeking professional advice on a mental health issue. We aim for nine out of 10 GP visits to be bulk-billed by 2030. Mental health can be treated as a chronic disease, and GPs are a really important part of maintaining good mental health and preventing relapses, but only if they're affordable and only if the medications are affordable.

The metaphor of 'the black dog' is often invoked when speaking of depression, one of the most common mental illnesses in our community. The black dog is a companion who is extremely difficult to shake off. It can wake you up in the morning. It disturbs your sleep at night. It literally dogs your every move, casts a shadow on every activity, drains your joy, drains your energy and makes everything a little darker, a little greyer, a little more difficult. It craves your attention during the quieter moments of your day and barks even more loudly when it thinks your attention has strayed. We all have friends, family and colleagues—maybe even ourselves—who have been stalked by their own black dog. It's not easy, but it is possible to keep the black dog at bay.

Many in our community live satisfying and productive lives, managing mental illness as a chronic disease. That's why the Albanese Labor government's groundbreaking investment in a national infrastructure of mental healthcare workforce and services is so vital. It will ensure that all Australians—no matter their age, no matter the severity of their condition, no matter their financial circumstances—are able to get the mental health support they need whenever they need it and wherever they need it. Thank you.

Madonna Jarrett (Brisbane, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mental health has touched many people, most likely everybody in this House, whether it's a friend, a loved one or even yourself. There are many reasons someone might struggle with mental health. It could be biological—genetics, family history, brain chemistry or structure. It could be psychological—trauma, stress, substance abuse. Or it could be social and environmental—social isolation, life events, socioeconomic factors, discrimination, or someone else's environment.

Recently I spoke with Ariana, a 10-year-old student going to school in my electorate, and we chatted about mental health through the lens of school bullying. She may be only 10, but her observations were very wise and very mature. While we chatted she reiterated what she wrote in her winning Raise Our Voice submission, which I'll read out now. She said of the goal of stopping bullying school:

This goal is so important because bullying does not just hurt in the moment; it can stay with a person for life.

Many people in our community have experienced bullying, whether at school or online, and we must stop our young Australians from carrying that pain inside because it can lead to serious mental health issues, even suicide.

Ending bullying will help create a peaceful, loving, and safe Australia for everyone.

Those are wise words. While medications can help those who are struggling with their mental health, that's just part of the answer. We still need to lean in, as Ariana did, and question whether there is something more to do.

Our society has become less connected with one another. We have to question whether we're being driven more by social and environmental factors. It's actually human nature to want to feel connected and to feel part of something bigger than what we are. As humans we assign meaning to emotions and relationships that go well beyond an immediate experience. And we can feel a sense of belonging or connection through supportive relationships. But the rapid increase in technology and social media has meant that more and more people are seeking that kind of interpersonal connection through our screens and less with each other—or, to use a young person's language, IRL, which means 'in real life'.

I grew up in a household of eight siblings, including foster kids, Mum, Dad and grandparents next door. We didn't have much, but being a family meant we always had each other and we had our community. Now we have an entire generation who didn't grow up knowing what it was like to ride your bike around for hours, to go to the local park and kick a footy, to climb a tree or to drop in on a friend unannounced. Let's face it, that's what was available to us, and we made our own fun. But we do live in different times, and we know that mental health challenges affect many in our community. In fact, a recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study report showed that one in five Australians aged 16 to 85 experienced a mental disorder, 3.4 million experienced anxiety—that's 17 per cent—and one in seven children and adolescents experienced a mental illness.

As the government we have a responsibility to provide tools and support to give people help when they need it most. That's why I'm really proud to be part of a government that not only recognises this responsibility but is backing it up with necessary resources and funding. This government is putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and delivering more services in the centres of communities across Australia, boosted by our historic $1.1 billion in mental health care, an election commitment. Over the coming years we will see new expanded Medicare mental health centres, headspace services, Medicare mental health kids hubs, perinatal mental health centres and youth specialist centres—very broad ranging. We've already delivered 45 mental health centres, 172 headspace services, 11 Medicare mental health kids hubs and 10 perinatal mental health centres.

During the election campaign obviously I talked to a lot of the voters, and one of the biggest issues raised with me was lack of access to affordable mental health care. That's why I was so pleased to join the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention recently to open the new Medicare mental health centre in Lutwyche. This centre provides a safe and very welcoming place for anyone to access free, quality mental health care and over extended hours. It's staffed by a team of highly qualified mental health professionals and, importantly, people with lived experience of mental health challenges. They will listen and work with those in my community, providing them with the care and support they need. Again, support through this centre is free for everyone who walks in the door. You don't need an appointment or a GP referral. You can walk in and get access to free mental health support without the need for an appointment, without the need for a referral and without a mental health treatment plan. The centre, as I mentioned, is staffed by multidisciplinary teams, including mental health clinicians, for when they're needed, and peer support workers.

It's vitally important to provide places for people to feel safe, where they can get the support they need. As a government, though, we also do need to look at the negative impacts of social media and bullying that are leading to some of this increase in demand. The rise of social media addiction is at pandemic levels, and it impacts our society as a whole but particularly the younger generation. That's why it was so important that this government had the guts to take on the big tech companies and the social media giants to introduce the world's first ban on social media for those under 16.

The eSafety Commissioner's recent Keeping Kids Safe Online survey explored the benefits but also highlighted the risks of the online world to children in Australia. There were some telling statistics. Almost three in four children had seen or heard content associated with harm online. More than one in two had experienced cyberbullying. Three in five had seen or heard online hate, while over one in four had personally experienced it. One in four had experienced non-consensual tracking, monitoring and harassment. The prevalence of online harm varied by gender and age, with teens and trans and gender-diverse children generally more at risk.

We want kids to know who they are before the platforms assume who they are. The new laws that ban social media for those under 16 give an integral buffer that allows kids to do just that. They will save lives because, as the minister said, while we can't control the ocean, we can police the sharks. These laws, starting in approximately two weeks, on 10 December, will save the lives of Australian kids. We know there will be kids and others who'll try to get around them. It happened when we introduced the alcohol ban, but we persisted with that. It's about a cultural shift, too.

That's why I also thought it was important to organise a local social media forum in Brisbane to discuss the upcoming changes with parents and provide them with tools and resources to navigate them. We brought together some experts—Paul from the eSafety Commissioner, and Professor Alina Morawska, who's the director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland. Their insights on how these laws worked were very helpful. They provided practical tips for parents and carers, and I really do congratulate those who came along to hear what those experts had to say.

When we think about who we are, we have Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which is a psychological theory that outlines five levels of human needs. According to this theory, individuals must satisfy those lower levels—food, shelter, security and health—before we can even think about fulfilling ones like friendship, love et cetera. As a government we're playing our part to try and address some of the fundamentals: affordable housing, being able to see a GP for free, cheaper medicines and 20 per cent off student debt.

But, let's face it, there is a loneliness epidemic in our society, and we all have the power to change that. I want people out there to know you are not alone, and, no matter who and where you are, you deserve to be happy. Everywhere we look we see people glued to their phones, almost hypnotised, waiting for the next thumbs-up emoji or that red-heart emoji—an instant response. But the reality is that this is not providing our communities, and each of us, with genuine connections. It's harming our mental health.

I believe that we as a society need to take back control of what it means to feel connected and to be happy. Are we really going to wake up one day, when we're much older, and say, 'I wish I'd spent more time on my phone or online'? Or are we going to think, 'I took that chance'? Are you going to spend more time with your loved ones, join that community or sporting group that's been on the to-do list forever, go to that party, read a good book, have a good boogie to your favourite song or simply smile at that person you don't know? You might just change your life for the better and you might just change someone else's in the process.

Anne Urquhart (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

October was Mental Health Month, a time to reflect on and to raise awareness of the wellbeing of every Australian. It's a time to speak openly, to listen deeply and to act with compassion. In my electorate of Braddon, we have a powerful reason to celebrate. We just marked a major milestone for mental health care in our region, with the official opening, alongside Assistant Minister Emma McBride, of the new Medicare mental health centre in Devonport. This isn't just another health facility; it's a lifeline, a place where people in distress can walk through the door and find support without barriers, without judgement and without delay.

For too long, mental health support has been out of reach for many Tasmanians, particularly in our regional areas. We've heard the stories of long wait times, referral requirements and those cost barriers—people struggling in silence, unsure where to turn or unable to afford the help that they need. That's not good enough, and it's not the kind of Australia we want to build. The Devonport Medicare mental health centre changes that. It offers free, walk-in support, with no appointment, no referral and no treatment plan required—just help when and where it's needed most. The model of care is built around the individual. It's staffed by a team of clinicians and peer workers—people with both professional expertise and lived experience. Together they provide support that is compassionate, timely and tailored to each person's needs. Whether someone is experiencing a crisis or seeking ongoing care, the centre is ready to respond. It's a safe space, a welcoming space and a place where people are seen, heard and supported.

I'm proud to say that we'll take a major step forward soon with the opening of a new Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. This centre will join the growing network of Medicare mental health centres across Australia designed to fill critical gaps in the mental health system and reduce that pressure on our hospital emergency departments. Its establishment reflects the Albanese Labor government's commitment to delivering accessible, community based mental health support, particularly in regional areas like Braddon. This is deeply personal for our community. We've seen the toll that mental distress can take, especially in our regional areas, where services are limited. But that stigma still lingers, because of our small communities. We know that mental health doesn't discriminate. It affects young people, parents, older Australians, workers and carers. It actually affects all of us, and we know that when people reach out for help they deserve to find it close to home.

Across the country, the Albanese government is delivering more mental health services right in the heart of our communities. As part of our plan to strengthen Medicare, we've made an historic $1.1 billion commitment to expand mental health services across the whole lifespan. This includes 91 Medicare mental health centres offering that free, walk-in care from a multidisciplinary team—and, as I said, we've got one in Devonport and are really excited that we'll be opening one very soon in Burnie—20 perinatal mental health centres supporting new and expectant parents; 17 Medicare mental health kids hubs helping children and families with behavioural, emotional and social wellbeing; and 203 headspace services supporting young people aged 12 to 15. We have an expanded headspace service right in Burnie.

We're not stopping there. We're investing an additional $72.7 million to boost headspace services right across the nation, giving our young Australians quicker access to the free mental health support that they need when they need it. This funding will add more staff to meet growing demand, expand individual and group therapies, and improve infrastructure to create safe, welcoming spaces. I found that really important in terms of the Medicare health hub in Devonport, where, when you walked in, you felt a really relaxing, calm environment. That's really important, particularly for young people. It will also enhance inclusive support for First Nations youth, for LGBTIQA+ individuals and our CALD communities.

I'm especially proud to say that Burnie will be home to one of those 30 headspace services that I talked about as being uplifted to headspace Plus—providing enhanced care for young people experiencing severe mental health issues, right in our community. They don't have to travel. It's a really difficult time for young people when they have mental health issues and then have to find the care that they need right in their own community. That's what this delivers. We know that regional communities need to be able to access services. Expanding these facilities in Burnie will mean much more support for young people aged 12 to 25 right where it's needed most. I've sat down with the health and support people in the Burnie health space and they are excited about reaching out more broadly from Burnie, right across the community of Braddon. I'm excited about that.

From early next year we'll also roll out a national early intervention service, providing free phone and online support from trained professionals. That's expected to help more than 150,000 Australians each year. We are layering the assistance. People can walk in or they can get on the phone, and they can get the service they need without long waiting lists.

We're also investing in the workforce that makes this care possible. Without fantastic health workers in this area, we just can't do the sorts of things that we want to do. We're investing in that workforce with over 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places and investing in new support to professionalise the peer workforce. We value that lived experience. When we opened the Medicare Mental Health Centre in Devonport recently, I met a fabulous support worker who has had lived experience. I think it makes the journey for someone with a mental health condition much easier if they can actually speak to someone who has had that lived experience as well. We know that peer workers bring something powerful to the table: empathy and understanding, which then provides hope for people. Next year we'll establish a peer workforce association and conduct a national census of peer workers to better support and grow this vital part of our mental health system and provide the support that those workers need.

As we expand the range of free services, we're making it easier for Australians to find that right support. The Medicare Mental Health national phone service number, 1800595212, and the website, medicarementalhealth.gov.au, are there to help people connect with the care that they need. With a phone call or a tap on a website you've got the help that you need. You can go and find them and navigate through.

Mental Health Month reminds us that wellbeing is not a luxury. It is a right. With every new centre, every new service and every new conversation, we're building a stronger and more compassionate Australia. But we should also say that every day is a chance to look after our own and others' mental health—not just for the month of October, but all year round.

Jo Briskey (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

October was Mental Health Month—a time to remind ourselves that mental health touches every part of our lives. It's a part of every family, friendship and community. This year's theme, Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey, is such an important reminder that mental health isn't about one big moment. It's about the small steps we take, the conversations we start, the habits we build and the support we reach out for along the way. Those steps look different to different people. For some, it's finally talking to a mate. For others, it's showing up at a men's shed, calling for help from Lifeline or accessing services like headspace. Every step counts and every step forward deserves to be recognised. We all know someone who has struggled—a friend, a colleague, a neighbour or perhaps even ourselves. For too long, mental health has been seriously stigmatised. The reality is that mental health is health. It deserves the same care, attention and compassion we give to every other part of our wellbeing. Mental Health Month is about starting conversations. More importantly, it's about continuing them. It's about building communities where people feel supported all year round—where taking the first step, or the next one, is seen as an act of strength.

Recently I visited two fantastic men's sheds in my community, at Strathmore and Moonee Ponds. They are two remarkable groups that are supporting men's mental health. Men's sheds are more than workshops. They are places of belonging where conversations happen naturally over the workbench, and friendships are formed with shared purpose. For too many men, especially older men, loneliness can creep in silently. Work ends, routines change, loved ones are lost and suddenly the days get quieter. Social isolation is a major risk factor for poor mental health, and men's sheds tackle that head-on. They offer connection, purpose and mateship, often in ways that feel natural and safe. I'm proud that the Albanese Labor government continues to support men's sheds. We recognise that connection and prevention start in local halls, community groups and sheds just like these.

I've also had the recent opportunity to meet with the new CEO of Lifeline, Graham Strong. Lifeline has been answering calls from Australians in crisis for more than 60 years, offering compassion, understanding and hope. Each call is a chance to save a life. It takes extraordinary dedication to listen, care and help someone see a way forward. The volunteers and staff of Lifeline are the quiet heroes of our mental health system, and their work deserves recognition and support.

In Maribyrnong, the Albanese Labor government is boosting access to vital mental health services with a $6.2 million investment to open a new headspace in Moonee Valley. I've spoken about this project a lot, and I will keep speaking about it, because it's such an exciting and important initiative for my community. Headspaces provide free wraparound support for young people aged 12 to 25, covering mental health, physical health, alcohol and drug support, and study and work pathways. As a qualified child and youth psychologist, I know how powerful early support can be. Giving young people help before the challenges escalate can really transform years of silent struggle into a chance to thrive.

This new centre is part of the Albanese Labor government's $1 billion investment to expand free public mental health care through Medicare, making it easier than ever before for Australians to get the support they need when they need it. I recently caught up with our local primary health network to get an update on where things are at, and it's coming along quickly. They let me know that there will be more updates in the coming months and that the process is moving along swiftly, and I'm keen to keep my community in the loop every step of the way. Young people in Moonee Valley have been waiting far too long for this service, and I'm determined to see it delivered as quickly as possible.

I also want to touch on the government's work to protect young people online. We cannot talk about mental health without talking about the impact that social media is having on our kids. I recently held a social media forum with Minister Wells for local parents and teachers in my community. We heard powerful stories from two bright young students in my community about why these social reform changes are necessary. Netasha spoke about how social media began shaping her identity long before she even knew who she was—how the constant comparison, the created perfection and targeted content left her feeling smaller, not stronger. Hayden spoke honestly about what many young men are experiencing—platforms deliberately targeting their insecurities and pulling them into toxic, hypermasculine content without them even realising it.

These aren't isolated stories. They're happening in homes, classrooms and playgrounds across Australia. Social media platforms are designed to be addictive. They feed insecurity. They amplify anxiety. They expose kids to content they simply aren't ready to navigate.

That's why the Albanese Labor government is introducing world-leading minimum-age reforms for social media accounts, giving kids a crucial additional 36 months before they're thrown into the online world that can profoundly shape their self-esteem, their relationships and their mental health. This is about giving young people the time to build resilience and real-world connections first, it's about giving parents some peace of mind that the algorithm isn't raising their children and it's about putting responsibility back onto the platforms that have profited from our children's attention without keeping them safe. We can't out-parent an algorithm, and kids can't outwit one. These reforms help give young people, including Netasha and Hayden, a better chance to grow, learn and thrive offline before facing the pressures online.

We know our mental health system has some deep structural problems, we know the workforce shortage is real and we know reform won't happen overnight. But, just as we are doing with Medicare, housing and climate action, we're getting on with the job and fixing what's been broken for too long. Reforming mental health care isn't something you can fix in a single budget with one announcement. It takes time, coordination and genuine partnerships across government with the workforce and, most importantly, with people who have lived experience.

We're continuing to build a mental health system that is public, coordinated and fair—a system that backs early intervention, supports the workforce and makes sure care actually reaches the people who need it. Our billion dollar investment will deliver 31 new upgraded Medicare, mental health centres, 20 new youth specialist care centres and eight new perinatal mental health centres, and we're creating 1,200 new training places for clinicians and peer workers because none of this works without the people who deliver the care. On top of that, we've committed an additional $361 million through our stronger Medicare reforms, including $163 million for a new National Early Intervention Service that anyone can access for free. Our government is committed to getting this right for the long-term.

We can't talk about mental health without talking about suicide. As a co-chair for the Parliamentary Friends of Suicide Prevention, I co-hosted an event in September to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. We heard from Suicide Prevention Australia's leadership and from Leesa Mountford, who turned her family's tragedy into advocacy and hope for others. Her story reminded us that behind every statistic is a person, a life lost, a family grieving, and a community forever changed. The Albanese Labor government's National Suicide Prevention Strategy takes a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, tackling health, economic and social drivers of distress. Listening to lived experience must remain at the heart of policy and service delivery.

Earlier today, I attended a briefing from Dr Alex Hains, the head of the National Suicide Prevention Office. He walked us through the new National Suicide Prevention Strategy and the early development of the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Framework, the tool that will help us understand what's working, where the gaps are and where support needs to go. It's evidence based, compassionate reform and exactly the direction we need to be heading.

Mental Health Month and its theme of taking steps on your wellbeing journey is a reminder that mental health wellbeing touches every part of our lives. It is about compassion, community and connection. It's about recognising every step, big or small, that someone takes to look after their mental health. It's about building a country where no-one feels ashamed to ask for help and where care is available, when and where it's needed. The Albanese government is investing in reform, but the heart of this work lives in our communities, in our Lifeline volunteers, in our men's sheds, in our mental health workforce and in the courage of those who share their stories. So, as we head towards the end of our parliamentary year, let's keep taking those steps. Let's keep the conversation going. Let's reach out, listen and support each other because mental health is everyone's business, and together we can make sure no-one faces it alone.

Rowan Holzberger (Forde, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I spoke on this yesterday in the Federation Chamber, but I think a longer speech gives me the opportunity to go into this in a little bit more detail. On a light note, the moustache which I'm. now proudly displaying is 26 days old, I think. It's actually thanks to my friend next to me, the member for Hunter, who encouraged me to raise awareness and funds for men's health but particularly for men's mental health. If the camera were able to look around this chamber, there are three of us sporting moustaches. It's important that guys who don't normally like to talk about their health or situation feel encouraged to do so.

I guess my own experience with mental health is informed by where I grew up. I have the great privilege of representing the electorate of Forde now in Logan, in the northern suburbs of the Gold Coast, but I'm a Broken Hill boy at heart, a country boy. Broken Hill is a mining town like Gladstone. It's a mining city, actually, and it is working class to its bootstraps. The men and women out there are tough, hard-working and salt of the earth—everything that you would expect about Australians when you think about Australians. The men are tough working-class men. Even though it's 1,400 kilometres or so away from where I live now—even though the geography is different—the demography is the same. People in Forde are tough working-class people, men and women, trying to do their best, trying to get ahead and putting themselves last so often.

When I think about growing up in Broken Hill, I think of two guys who would be my age today if they were still around, but they're not still around. It's been a long time since I've been back to talk to their families, so I won't use their last names, but I'll use their first names. Anybody who knows who I'm talking about will know them—Benny and Jezza. Benny was this magnetic kid with this cheeky smile. When I became interested in politics as a young person, the New South Wales government had come to power and was cutting education. This was back in 1988. All of us who were aware of what was going in politics were getting really outraged, and somehow we managed to foment a school strike.

I remember that Benny was one of the people really encouraging me to lead the strike. Benny couldn't have cared less about politics. The last thing Benny was interested in was what was going on with student-teacher ratios. Benny wanted a day off! Benny was just this tough kid with this natural gravitas that attracted people to him. And it was because of Benny getting behind me, and pushing me, that he and I marched up to the principal and announced that we were going to have the school strike. Well, for me, it was a school strike; for Benny, it was a day off. Benny was an amazing character.

Jezza was from the same group—we were all sort of southies in Broken Hill. Jezza was a different kind of guy. If you didn't know him very well, he was a quiet, gentle bloke. But jeez, he loved to laugh, and he was the sort of mate you would go into the trenches with.

Despite how good they were, Benny and Jezza took their own lives. This is not uncommon in working-class communities, and it's not uncommon amongst men. In many ways, the only thing worse than talking about suicide is not talking about suicide. The reason why it's so important to look at the impact that it has on men is that something like 75 per cent of suicides are men. As much as it is a men's issue, the people who bring it up with us when we're going around in our communities are generally the mums, the wives and the daughters, who are concerned about their man's mental health. Men are usually the ones least likely to bring it up themselves.

It is so important for us as a parliament to do what we can as leaders in our community, but also collectively to shine a light on the scourge that is male mental illness. There are a lot of reasons for why it might happen. I think Australia was a much more egalitarian country when I was growing up in the '80s. We were more equal. There was this commitment to mateship that you don't hear a lot of these days. And I think that through the '80s—through economic rationalism, through privatisation, through chasing the dollar rather than community—we moved away from that spirit of doing things for the sake of other people, and we've been left poorer as a society for that approach to economics. When I'm talking to young people today, one of the reasons that they cite for their mental health—I mean, look at the state of housing. It's bad enough when we see it, but imagine trying to grow up in a world where this is the world you're going to come into after high school. So it's tough on kids and it's tough for other reasons too.

One of the things that I for some reason had a look at was past royal commissions. There was a royal commission into television back in the 1950s that was looking at whether there would be multiple stations, whether there would be one government owned station, whether television would run 24 hours a day, whether people would pay for licences et cetera. One of the submissions that went into that royal commission was that television would destroy communities, and in many ways they did. Television took people away from those community experiences and stuck us in lounge rooms, gathered around the box. But social media has done that on steroids. Look back at television now. At least there was some shared experience. Now we are completely chopped up into little tiny slices in our bedrooms, separated from family, separated from community, all getting some sort of message through social media. The stress that this puts on young people—and older people as well—has got to be one of the reasons that mental health is so bad, is such an epidemic in our community.

But I think that, despite the problems that exist and the problems that in many ways are getting worse, there are real solutions out there. I think the best example of that would be MATES in Construction. Some know, I'm sure, but it started somewhere around 2007 when suicide rates amongst male construction workers were way above the community average. Because of the work that they've done, they've managed to bring suicide rates down to about the community average amongst male construction workers and, the way that they're going, it's going to be less than the national average. So something is going on. They are doing something right. So often it is just one conversation that makes all the difference. It is just a few sessions with a trained professional that makes all the difference. Without having that one conversation, without putting somebody in the right direction, not having that conversation can have catastrophic consequences for the individual and catastrophic consequences for the family.

There's so much more to do. The moustache will be coming off on 1 December, but the work will continue, led by the Special Envoy for Men's Health, who we're lucky to have today—led by a position the first time that it exists in the Commonwealth. (Time expired)

Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about Mental Health Month and, in particular, the mental health of Australian men. This is an issue that cuts across every part of our society. It affects every community, every workplace and every family. No matter where you live, what work you do or what your background is, every community in this country has men who are doing it tough, often without saying a word. The truth is simple, and it's also very confronting: Australian men are struggling with their mental health, and too often they are struggling in silence and also in isolation.

Last year alone, 2,529 Australian men died by suicide. That is more than three-quarters of all suicides in our nation. For men aged 15 to 44, suicide remains the leading cause of death. It's ahead of accidents, it's ahead of diseases and it's ahead of anything else. It's an enormous and preventable loss that should give us all the time to pause and reflect on these horrifying statistics, because behind each and every one of those numbers is a real life—a father, a son, a brother, a mate, a co-worker, a neighbour. When a man dies by suicide, it never just affects one person. Families carry that grief for years and years. Children grow up without their dads. Partners lose the person they planned a life with. Mates feel shock, guilt and heartbreak. Communities feel the loss deeply, often for generations.

Despite this enormous burden, men remain far more likely not to seek any help. Only around one-third of men experiencing a mental health condition saw a health professional last year. Many waited weeks or even months before reaching out and, tragically, some never reached out at all. Part of the challenge is that men often show signs of mental ill health in ways that can easily be misunderstood. For many men, poor mental health does not always include or look like sadness. It may come out as anger, frustration, disengagement, drinking more than usual, withdrawing from mates, losing interest in activities once enjoyed and loved, changes in behaviour at work, or physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia and ongoing stomach pain. These signs can easily be overlooked—not because people don't care but because men themselves have grown up believing they should hide emotions, suppress vulnerability and simply soldier on. For generations, Australian men have been taught, directly and indirectly, that expressing emotion is a weakness, that asking for help is embarrassing and that suffering in silence is the strong thing to do. This old stereotype is costing lives in this country.

The risks are even higher in male dominated industries such as construction, mining, transport, agriculture, emergency services, defence and fly-in fly-out work. These industries come with long hours, isolation, physical strain, high-pressure environments and irregular shifts that disrupt routines and relationships. Many men in these sectors feel significant pressure to push through and avoid being seen as a burden or a problem. I've spoken to miners who work two weeks on and one week off and feel completely disconnected from their families. I've spoken to farmers who carry enormous financial pressures and the weight of generational expectations. I've spoken to tradies who will not mention how they're feeling on site because they do not want to make things awkward on site. These experiences are real, and they are far more common than many people realise. This is why addressing men's mental health requires a whole lot of community effort and why the Australian government continues to invest significantly in mental health services, prevention and support.

This year, around $7.8 billion is supporting mental health services, suicide prevention initiatives, digital programs and growth of a strong mental health workforce. Through Strengthening Medicare, more than $1 billion is helping Australians—especially young people—access support earlier and more easily. That includes expanding bulk-billing incentives, more affordable psychology and support that meets people where they are. Importantly, these programs are designed specifically for men because we know that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work.

The Men's Table gives men a safe, structured and confidential place to talk openly with other men. MATES in Construction, MATES in Energy and MATES in Manufacturing provide practical support for workers in high-risk industries. These programs save lives not just by offering professional help but by building cultures where it is normal to check in on your mates. Dads in Distress assists separated fathers who often feel isolated and unsure of where to turn. DadBooster provides online support for new fathers navigating the huge transition into parenthood. SMS4dads, developed by the University of Newcastle, sends out simple but powerful messages to new dads, reminding them they are not alone and providing guidance during the early and often overwhelming months of fatherhood.

For First Nations men, who face suicide rates around three times higher than non-Indigenous men, culturally safe services like Brother to Brother and 13YARN are absolutely vital. These services are run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They recognise the importance of culture, community and connection in healing. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy is designed with strong community leadership, supports long term change and local self-determined solutions.

As important as funding and programs are, they alone cannot overcome the biggest barrier which is, unfortunately, stigma—stigma around mental health, stigma around seeking help, stigma around what it means to be a man. Too many men still believe that asking for support shows weakness. Too many fear being judged. Too many think they'll be letting their families down if they admit they are struggling. But, in truth, speaking up is a sign of strength and a sign of responsibility and courage. Every Australian can play a part in breaking down that stigma.

Movember promotes a simple and effective method called ALEC—ask, listen, encourage action and check in. Ask a mate how he is really going. Listen carefully without rushing to fix or judge. Encourage action such as talking to a GP, calling a support service or opening up to somebody close. Check in again later because one conversation is just the beginning, not the end. These small moments all matter. These conversations save lives.

Workplaces can do even more by encouraging open discussions, providing mental health training, offering flexible work arrangements, building supportive environments and promoting early intervention. Employers can help reduce risk and create healthy cultures. Workplaces that value mental health do not just protect workers; they build stronger, safer and more productive teams.

Communities also play a powerful role. When men feel connected to family, friends, culture or community, they are healthier and safer. When men feel isolated, unconnected or ashamed, their risks increase significantly. Strengthening social connection through sport, volunteering, culture, clubs, Men's Sheds or community groups is often one of the most effective ways to protect men's wellbeing. Men themselves can also take practical steps to protect their mental health—sleeping well, eating well, staying active, limiting alcohol, spending more time with mates, reconnecting with hobbies, reaching out early when something feels wrong and getting help to build resilience, balance and wellbeing.

But when things get tough, support is always available. Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Men's Line, the Suicide Call Back Service, 13YARN, Kids Helpline and headspace are ready to assist at any hour for any reason. These services provide confidential and non-judgemental support, and we need to make sure we keep getting people to reach out to them.

Mental Health Month is not just a date on the calendar. It is something that should be looked at every day of the week, and I urge every male out there to make sure you are looking after your health and your mental health as best as you can because mental health and physical health go hand in hand. If we're struggling, we need to be talking to our GPs. Get out, and see your GP. Do yourself a favour on your birthday—book in an appointment with your GP. Make it normal to see them. Get a blood test, and talk about your mental health. If you are struggling, reach out because help is available. Please make sure you do it, and remember it's not weak to speak.

Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To my fellow colleague Dan Repacholi, the member for Hunter and the Special Envoy for Men's Health—November marks Mental Health Month, a time where we pause, reflect and confront one of the most pervasive and often unseen challenges affecting Australians today. We know that 42.9 per cent of Australians aged 16 to 85 have experienced a mental health issue. That's nearly half of us, half of our families, our workplaces and our communities. This is not an issue that sits at the fringes of society. It touches almost everyone's home in the country.

In 2024 alone 3,307 Australians died by suicide. That is nine people, a sporting team worth of lives, lost every single day. Behind every one of those numbers is a family with an empty seat at the dinner table, a school with a chair that will never be filled and a workplace hoping for a colleague who will not walk back through those doors. More than seven million Australians are close to someone who has died by suicide or attempted to take their own life. By the age of 25, one in two young people will have been personally affected.

These are not statistics. These are stories. These are families. These are lives. Mental health shapes every aspect of a person's life. It determines whether they can finish school, maintain relationships, secure stable housing, keep a job or imagine a future they feel hopeful about. Australia is in the midst of a suicide crisis, and for too long, for too many years, the responsibility for navigating a fragmented system has fallen on those already struggling.

My commitment to mental health does not come from theory or politics. It comes from lived experience and from more than 20 years working alongside young people, families and frontline workers in the community sector—at Anglicare, at Family Life and with the Women's Spirit Project. I saw both the extraordinary strength people possess and the pain that arises when they reach for help and find long waiting lists, confusion or even silence. I have sat with young people exhausted from carrying burdens they didn't have the words for or felt too ashamed to mention. I've spoken with parents about their desperate need to help their children but not knowing how to navigate the system. I have worked shoulder to shoulder with frontline workers, youth workers, counsellors, case managers—people who show up every day and give everything, despite feeling overwhelmed. And I grew up in a family that faced its own challenges. I know what trauma feels like, what recovery requires and what it means when someone steps in early and believes in you before you slip too far through the cracks.

These experiences shaped who I am and my being here now. They shaped the way I listen, advocate and fight for reform, and they taught me two truths that guide every decision I make: early intervention saves lives, and community support changes them. When a young person gets help at 14 instead of 24, their life changes. When a family is supported, not judged, their hope grows. When a community wraps around someone, their chance of surviving and thriving increases. This is why mental health is deeply personal to me and why I will always use my voice to push for the change our communities need.

I am proud to stand as part of the Albanese Labor government, with my colleague the member for Hunter—a government acting with urgency, compassion and a focus on early intervention. Since coming to office, we have invested $2.4 billion in mental health and suicide prevention. This includes $225 million for 31 new or upgraded Medicare mental health hubs, $500 million for 20 youth specialist care centres, $90 million to train more than 1,200 mental health professionals and $200 million to upgrade or expand 58 headspace centres, including $1.2 million for a headspace in Dunkley. This investment means young people in Dunkley will no longer face months-long waiting lists. It means more early intervention, more crisis support and more services delivered close to home. While these investments are significant, they are the beginning, not the end, of building a stronger, fairer, more accessible mental health system.

One of the most meaningful moments for me this year was hosting the Dunkley Men's Health and Wellbeing Forum with the Special Envoy for Men's Health, the member for Hunter, on 12 November. Around 70 men, boys and organisations joined us, supported by the Man Cave, Movember and the Frankston Dolphins football club. It was a room filled with honesty and hope. It was also special for my family. My husband, Dave, and our son, Flynn, emceed the event. Flynn spoke with courage about growing up as a young man today—the pressure to be perfect, the weight of expectation and comparison, the pull of social media. His openness reminded us that young men want to talk; they just need safe places to do so. The member for Hunter shared important insights about prostate health, body image, mental health and the courage required to ask for help in a society that tells men to tough it out.

What stayed with me most was the willingness of men—teenagers and retirees—to speak with honesty and vulnerability. There was no bravado or judgement—just connection. From that night, that event, came something powerful—a commitment to form a Dunkley men's health network, a community led initiative dedicated to connection and prevention, and to ensuring no man or boy feels they must face hardship alone. I will continue supporting this work wholeheartedly.

A week later I attended the Governor-General's residence for an International Men's Day event recognising the Man Cave, an organisation with deep roots in Dunkley. Their first program was delivered at Frankston High School in 2014. Ten years on, they have supported more than 100,000 boys and young men across Australia. Their work builds emotional literacy, resilience, respect and healthy masculinity. It challenges outdated ideas that tell boys to stay silent or suppress emotions.

Mental health cannot be solved by government alone. Leadership matters and investment matters, but mental health is ultimately a shared responsibility. We need to keep listening to young people, families, frontline workers and people with lived experience. We need systems built on early intervention, not shame, and genuine accessibility for all.

I'm proud of the steps we are taking nationally and locally, but the work is far from finished. Every life touched by mental ill-health matters. Every family grieving a suicide matters. Every young person searching for hope matters. I will continue to work every day to ensure our community is seen, heard and supported and to ensure that our mental health system reflects the dignity every person deserves.

Sitting suspended from 13:31 to 16:01

Mary Doyle (Aston, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The month of October was Mental Health Month, and the Albanese Labor government is delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities right across the country. As part of our government's plan to strengthen Medicare, we made an historic $1.1 billion commitment at this year's election to deliver new and expanded mental health services that support Australians across every stage of life. As a government, we are establishing 91 Medicare Mental Health Centres offering free, walk in care from multidisciplinary teams. Our government is also creating 20 perinatal mental health centres to deliver tailored support for new and expecting parents and 17 Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs to provide children and their families with the behavioural, social, emotional and wellbeing support they need. For young people aged 12 to 25, 203 headspace services across the country continue to play a vital role in supporting their mental health and wellbeing.

Additionally, as part of the Albanese Labor government's recent election commitment, headspace Knox in my electorate of Aston will be uplifted to a headspace Plus, demonstrating the deep understanding this government has regarding the growing need and complexity of youth mental health. Headspace Knox offers young people in my community aged 12 to 25 a welcoming environment where they can access confidential and free mental health support, health advice and general information. From early next year, we will also roll out a new national early intervention service, providing free mental health phone and online support from trained professionals. This service is expected to reach more than 150,000 Australians every year, helping people access care early before their challenges become a crisis. By expanding access to free public mental health services that meet different levels of need, our initiatives will relieve pressure on subsidised private psychology services, thus making it easier for people to get the right care when and where they need it.

Furthermore, our government is investing in the future of the mental health workforce with more than 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places to ensure we have the skilled professionals required to deliver these services across the nation. Importantly, we are recognising the invaluable contributions of people with lived experiences. We are professionalising the peer workforce, establishing a new peer workforce association next year and conducting a national census to better understand and strengthen this vital part of our mental health system.

On a personal note, I have my own lived experience of requiring mental health support, back in November 2001, when my firstborn baby boy, Clancy, was around four months old. I had not been feeling myself for some time but couldn't figure out why. My new little bub, Clancy, was a dream. He slept soundly. He wasn't much of a crier. He breastfed beautifully and I bonded so strongly with him. On that level, we were doing very well as new mum and bub. But I couldn't sleep. My mind was racing. I was no longer interested in socialising or doing all the things that used to bring me joy. On one of my visits to the maternal child health nurse in my local area, she gently asked me some questions. How was I feeling? Was I getting out to see friends and family and so on? Then she got me to fill out a questionnaire, and, as it turned out, I was subsequently diagnosed with post-natal depression.

It had never occurred to me during those first few months of motherhood. In my naivety, I figured only mums with babies who didn't sleep or who cried all the time got post-natal depression. But PND can happen to any mum. It can happen to new mums or it can strike you when you've had your second baby or any other baby after that. I was very fortunate to have had the mental health support I needed at that time and was able to get through that challenging time in my life.

Every Australian deserves access to compassionate, quality mental health care no matter where they live, their background or their circumstances. We know that mental health challenges can affect anyone at any stage of life, just as they affected me 24 years ago. These investments are about meeting people where they are, providing support before crisis strikes and ensuring that no-one faces their struggles alone. Behind every policy and every program is a person, be they a parent, a child, a young person, a friend or a neighbour who deserves to be heard, supported and valued. When someone reaches out for help, they are showing courage, not weakness. Our responsibility is to meet that courage with care, to replace stigma with understanding and to ensure that hope is never out of reach.

Let us be clear that this is not just about services or statistics. It is about building a culture of compassion. It is about communities that lift each other up, workplaces that nurture wellbeing and schools that teach our children that it is okay to ask for help. It is about ensuring that mental health care is not a privilege but a fundamental right for every Australian.

We know that when mental health is supported, everything else follows. Families grow stronger, communities become safer and our economy thrives because people can reach their potential. Mental wellbeing is not just a health issue; it is a foundation for opportunity, equality and national prosperity. This government understands that when we invest in people's minds and hearts, we invest in the future of our country.

This is what leadership looks like: not turning away from hard conversations, but embracing them with honesty and hope. It is about standing beside every Australian saying: 'You matter. Your life matters, and help is available.' Together we are rewriting the story of mental health in this country to one of connection, care and courage. As we expand this network of free, high-quality services, Australians can turn to the Medicare mental health phone line or visit the Medicare Mental Health website to find the service that's right for them.

This is what it means to govern with empathy, with purpose and with a commitment to the wellbeing of every Australian, because when we invest in mental health, we invest in the strength, the resilience and the humanity of our nation. Hope is the heartbeat of a healthy society. Through these investments we are saying to every Australian: 'You are not alone. Your story matters and your future is worth fighting for.'