Appoint a Minister for Mental Health & Wellbeing, mental health group urges Prime Minister
Placing mental health and wellbeing at the centre of all decision-making is the key to tackling the mental health crisis in Australia, according to Australians for Mental Health (AFMH), a national grassroots campaign group founded by Professor Pat McGorry.
“A Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, located in the Prime Minister’s own department could oversee a proactive, whole-of-government approach to the mental crisis that sees millions of Australians in need of care” Australians for Mental Health Executive Director Chris Gambian said.
Australia’s mental health system remains fragmented and despite the efforts of Health Minister Mark Butler, the everyday needs of Australians are not being met.
“Minister Butler has done a noble job in his portfolio, especially when it comes to the clinical side of mental health. But Australia needs solutions that place wellbeing at the centre of decision-making, because we can’t just focus on the treatment side of the mental health crisis, we need to be proactive and address what’s driving unacceptably high levels of mental distress in our country,” Chris Gambian said.
AFMH is urging the re-elected government to change that by adopting a suite of structural reforms, including:
- Setting up a new Office of Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet with a Minister for Mental Health & Wellbeing at the helm
- Requiring every Department and Agency to look for and mitigate potential risks to mental health and wellbeing, as well as opportunities to improve mental health and wellbeing across the population
- Appointing an independent Mental Health & Wellbeing Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission to advise the government and hold it accountable for its mental health and wellbeing performance
“Mental health is everyone’s business. We need proactive action and accountability across all portfolios, not just the treatment end once people get sick” Chris Gambian said.
“With the flick of a pen, the Prime Minister can create the structures to drive better mental health outcomes, and it does not even need to cost a cent. We need a national agenda that puts mental wellbeing at the heart of what the government does."
Media contact: Kathleen Ferguson - 0421 522 080