Sign the Petition
This petition for mental health reform is the centrepiece of an incredible movement of thousands of Australians who support fixing our broken mental health system.
After an incredible few weeks of action, we're on the verge of a tri-partisan approach to this issue. That's a testament to mental health advocates from around the country, and to every single person who has taken action over the last year.
Show your support for mental health reform by signing the petition on the right!
After an incredible few weeks of action, we're on the verge of a tri-partisan approach to this issue. That's a testament to mental health advocates from around the country, and to every single person who has taken action over the last year.
Show your support for mental health reform by signing the petition on the right!
- Our message of hope was impossible to miss in Canberra in mid-April - written large in 4,000 candles on the lawns of Parliament House. Each candle featured a personal dedication from GetUp member -- and together they spelled out our message: "Fund hope for mental health." Check out this video to see the candles and the media coverage they created, from ABC's 730 to 7's Sunrise.
- Last Wednesday we ran a full page newspaper ad, featuring thousands of photos submitted by GetUp members, called on the Government to deliver more funding for mental health. The evening news ran images of our ad, and reporters directly asked Julia Gillard to respond.
- Channel 10 reported that mental health funding may be the centrepiece spending initiative in the upcoming Federal Budget. Click below to watch the story:
- Last Wednesday we ran a full page newspaper ad, featuring thousands of photos submitted by GetUp members, called on the Government to deliver more funding for mental health. The evening news ran images of our ad, and reporters directly asked Julia Gillard to respond.
- Channel 10 reported that mental health funding may be the centrepiece spending initiative in the upcoming Federal Budget. Click below to watch the story:
Mental illness affects over four million Australians every year. Mental illness is estimated to cost the Australian economy around $30b each year.
Mental health is allocated 6% of the health care budget, but represents at least 13% of the health care burden.
Every day:
- 330 Australians presented to Emergency Departments with serious mental illnesses are turned away with less than 1 in 15 referred to any other service;
- Over 1,200 Australians are refused admission to a public or private psychiatric unit;
- At least 7 people die as a result of suicide in Australia, with more than a third involving people discharged too early and/or without care following hospitalisation; and
- Another 180 Australians attempt suicide and of these 84 are hospitalised.
Mental health is allocated 6% of the health care budget, but represents at least 13% of the health care burden.
Every day:
- 330 Australians presented to Emergency Departments with serious mental illnesses are turned away with less than 1 in 15 referred to any other service;
- Over 1,200 Australians are refused admission to a public or private psychiatric unit;
- At least 7 people die as a result of suicide in Australia, with more than a third involving people discharged too early and/or without care following hospitalisation; and
- Another 180 Australians attempt suicide and of these 84 are hospitalised.
- New accountability in mental health service provision including the establishment of a new mental health commission
- New services for children and young people including early intervention psychosis services and a national rollout of Headspace centres
- An integration of community services including housing support programs and better services to support those suffering from mental ill health enter the workforce (which is especially important in the context of the Government's announcement of a tightening of the Disability Support Pension mental health eligibility requirements)
- More collaboration in the way mental health services are delivered
- The application of new technology in mental health service provision including a National E-Centre for young people, enhanced suicide prevention work online and better payment services that would allow service providers to use new technology where appropriate in supporting those suffering mental ill health
- An investment in strategic research and development including evaluation of early intervention models
- An increase in funding and support to get more mental health nurses into the system
- Support to help families navigate their way through mental health services
- Services for early (pre-adolescence) identification
- Better acute services for those suffering severe mental ill health.
- New services for children and young people including early intervention psychosis services and a national rollout of Headspace centres
- An integration of community services including housing support programs and better services to support those suffering from mental ill health enter the workforce (which is especially important in the context of the Government's announcement of a tightening of the Disability Support Pension mental health eligibility requirements)
- More collaboration in the way mental health services are delivered
- The application of new technology in mental health service provision including a National E-Centre for young people, enhanced suicide prevention work online and better payment services that would allow service providers to use new technology where appropriate in supporting those suffering mental ill health
- An investment in strategic research and development including evaluation of early intervention models
- An increase in funding and support to get more mental health nurses into the system
- Support to help families navigate their way through mental health services
- Services for early (pre-adolescence) identification
- Better acute services for those suffering severe mental ill health.
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FUND MENTAL HEALTH
Mental ill-health is the leading killer of Australians under 45, and the leading cause of disability in Australia. It's time our governments stepped up and invested in mental health care to save lives.
Please join this petition and help make it our biggest yet!
I call on the governments of Australia to act urgently and effectively to reform mental healthcare in Australia so that:
- there is no longer inequality of access to effective treatments between physical health and mental health
- early intervention is the norm;
- community based treatments are the norm; and
- quality services are the norm.
In taking action, I agree to GetUp's Privacy Policy.