More Australians live with mental ill-health than any other chronic condition. Unsurprisingly, mental health disorders account for a substantial portion of the total burden of disease in Australia, on par with musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases.
Given this, the full contribution our psychology workforce makes to the mental health and wellbeing of Australian communities through prevention, early intervention and treatment programs should not be underestimated.
All Australians should be able to access expert psychological support to ensure their mental health and wellbeing needs are met. This is more important now than ever.
World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2023, is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right” to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.
Mental health is a universal human right – APS advocacy
The APS advocates for measures which directly support the wellbeing of each member of the Australian community, as well as the resilience of the psychology workforce. At a time marked by growing economic, social and health challenges, this advocacy is crucial.
You can learn more about our proposed evidence-based solutions in our Pre-Budget Submission. Here, we outline three sets of initiatives which will have a significant positive and measurable social and economic impact on the Australian community, both now and for the benefit of future generations:
1. Build — Improve the mental health and wellbeing of our communities through strengthening the psychology workforce;
2. Support — Address issues related to access and equity in relation to psychological services within the Better Access initiative and the MBS more generally; and
3. Prepare — Assist the APS to build the capacity of psychologists to work with individuals and communities to prepare for and respond to disasters, and to support our children and young people, including in response to potential climate change events, by building resilience and improving their mental health and wellbeing.
While encouraging Australians to look after their mental health this World Mental Health Day, we’d also like to thank you – our members – for stepping up whilst the community has needed your support most.
For more resources please visit:
APS Find a Psychologist
APS Community resources on psychology topics
WHO World Mental Health Day