Category Archives: Media

National Human Rights Survey

National Mental Health Consumer Alliance Human Rights Survey 2025

The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance has launched Australia’s only national Human Rights Survey designed by and for people with lived experience of mental health challenges. The Alliance is gathering lived evidence to hold systems accountable — tracking how well Australia upholds its human rights obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The survey is open until 31 December 2025, is anonymous and will be analysed by the lived experience research group, ACACIA.The results will shape national advocacy to make sure human rights are real for all mental health consumers.

Take the Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AllianceHR2025

The Age AM News 30 October 2025

Mental Health Australia Weekly Update 16 October 2025

 

  • Media release: Funding boost to improve headspace services The Albanese Labor Government is investing an extra $72.7 million to boost headspace services across the nation, giving young Australians quicker access to the free mental health support they need. This investment will support initiatives to reduce wait times and improve access to free mental health care for young people across 85 headspace services, including additional staff to meet high demand for services, and activities to provide more inclusive support for young people from First Nations communities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

  • Media release: Data shows more private mental health hospital beds are being added to the system Data on private hospital licenses and expansions shows Australia’s private mental health sector is continuing to expand. The publicly available data shows more mental health beds have opened in new private mental health hospitals over the past five years than were lost in standalone mental health hospital closures. Several hospitals have also been redeveloped to include extra private mental health beds, and two new mental health hospitals are currently under construction.

  • Media release: New YouTube mental health and wellbeing tools – built just for teens For more than a decade, YouTube has built specific age-appropriate experiences for younger users. Today, we are announcing our newest offering which will start rolling out for teens in Australia in the coming weeks: mental health and wellbeing content in a dedicated surface built just for teens. We are proud to partner with leading mental health organisations Black Dog Institute and ReachOut, to provide this local, teen-centric content.

World Mental Health Day 10 October 2025

10 October is World Mental Health Day – a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support each other’s mental health.

This year, Mental Health Australia’s theme is Connect with your community.

Whether it’s with friends, family, colleagues, your mob, or local groups, building connections helps us feel safe, seen and supported – and that’s good for our mental health.

To help you take part, Mental Health Australia has created free resources you can use and share:

October Calendars – a month full of mental health tips to follow along – there are also First Nations and Youth (16–24) editions

Connect with your MP – this year, Mental Health Australia is encouraging community members to engage with their elected representative

Supporter Toolkit – free digital assets to help spread the word online and in your community

Share how you connect with community on socials – Tag us on Instagram and Facebook @aumentalhealth #WMHD2025 #connectwithyourcommunity

Together, we can spark conversations, strengthen connections, and make mental health a priority.

More Free Mental Health Care

Thursday, 10 July 2025 

MORE FREE MENTAL HEALTH CARE COMING TO YOUR COMMUNITY 

The Allan Labor Government is expanding its network of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals so more Victorians can get free mental health support close to home without needing a GP referral or Medicare card. 

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today visited the Brimbank Mental Health and Wellbeing Local to announce that seven new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals will soon open across Victoria. 

These new Locals will be established in the Cardinia, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Port Phillip, Wyndham and Mount Alexander (servicing Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and Macedon Ranges) Local Government Areas. 

Acting as a ‘front door’ to the mental health system, the Locals offer support and treatment for Victorians experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, including co-occurring substance use or addiction. 

Support is delivered in-person, via telehealth and via outreach services with a care plan designed to reflect a person’s goals and preferences – family, carers and supporters can also be involved. 

A flagship reform following the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the new services build on the 15 existing Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals operating across 17 locations that that have already helped more than 23,000 Victorians access free community-based mental health care and support. 

The growing uptake of these reflects real progress in delivering the accessible, and community-embedded care envisioned by the Royal Commission. 

The seven new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are expected to open from late 2025, continuing the Labor Government’s ongoing reform and expansion of community-based services. 

To make it even easier to access help, walk-in support is now available at the existing Bairnsdale, Lilydale and Melton Locals, giving Victorians more options to care when and where they need it. 

The Victorian Budget 2025/26 invested $34.4 million to support the 17 existing locations, establish these seven new locations and continue essential community-based mental health services across Victoria. 

The Labor Government has invested $6 billion in the mental health system since the Royal Commission report was handed down and grown the mental health workforce by 25 per cent. 

For more information on Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mhwlocal

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt 

“We are delivering the biggest mental health reform in our nation’s history – and our Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are key to making sure all Victorians can access free and compassionate care, close to home.” 

“Victorians have embraced Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, with more than 23,000 people already accessing support, and soon even more Victorians will benefit from this service in their local community.” . Media contact: Max Resic 0435 256 250 | max.resic@minstaff.vic.gov.au 

Quote attributable to Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly 

“This is an incredible service, staffed by highly qualified and compassionate mental health professionals – and I’m thrilled that even more Victorians will soon be able to access this vital support in their own communities.” 

Mojo Festival of the Arts 2025

Get your ticket to the best public event for World Schizophrenia Day in the world – the award winning Mojo Festival of Arts 2025!

FRINGE Common Rooms, Carlton (aka Trades Hall).

 Saturday 24 May @ 1:30pm.

It’s our 15th year of Schizy Inc celebrating World Schizophrenia Day! This year over 30 diverse artists from greater Melbourne and beyond will be performing a selection of short works of lived experience in theatre, cabaret, spoken word, dance and music, with guest artists from our wider arts scene proudly identifying full and glorious complex mental health and Disability.

$10 gets you in the door and once tickets are gone… they’re gone. Venue has capacity and Mojo is always a sold out show.

Flyer attached, get your mates together and celebrate Lived Experience / Mad Pride or come along and get an idea of what mental health really looks (and feels) like!

Ticketing:

Schizy Inc is a NFP Charity run entirely by disabled people, and mostly unwaged! Yay!!! That means all our income for amazing projects like Mojo, comes through hard-won grants and the rare kind donation. Please support community by paying $10 for a ticket if you can. But we also know that the mental health community is disadvantaged financially so we will support you to be at the show if money (or buying tickets online) is difficult.

So.. In respect of Disability priority and equity, and to ensure safe audience numbers, NDIS support persons MUST buy a ticket. They can be reimbursed through their NDIS invoicing.

We have limited free tickets for people on no fixed income, and people who do not access online ticketing. Please email us: mojo@schizy.org with the subject line ‘MAGIC TICKET’ and your name.

We have space for media and pre-arranged special guests including Government and project supporters of Schizy Inc. Please RSVP if possible.

Mojo Artists performing this year do not need to buy a ticket, let us know if you are bringing a Plus One support person who’d appreciate a freebie.

Access:
Common Rooms is Mobility Friendly all areas. Please contact FRINGE Common Rooms during business hours for specific questions about the venue.

Office: (03) 9660 9600

info@melbournefringe.com.au

Venue Access and Details HERE

Common Rooms Access Pack – Word.doc ATTACHED (2 page with Directions and Parking etc.)

Mojo is a complex-trauma aware event. PG rated, children welcome but some low level language and adult themes may be expressed.

See you there!