PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Ms KARA COOK (Bonner) (10:36): I move: That this House: (1) notes that Mental Health Month is observed throughout October each year to raise awareness of mental health, reduce stigma and encourage all Australians to seek support when they need it; (2) recognises the importance of mental health to the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, and acknowledges the role played by families, carers, lived experience advocates, peer workers, community organisations and health professionals in supporting Australians experiencing mental health challenges; (3) welcomes the Government's continued investment in strengthening Australia's mental health system, including through: (a) the rollout of Medicare Mental Health Centres, with more than 56 of the planned 92 centres now open nationwide, providing free, walk-in mental health support with no referral or diagnosis required; (b) the establishment of Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs, providing free support for children aged 0 to 12 and their families, with 17 Kids Hubs being rolled out across the country; (c) expanding the network of headspace services and upgrading 30 centres to a new and enhanced headspace Plus model, providing young Australians with accessible mental health care, early intervention and holistic support; (d) the new national early intervention service, Medicare Mental Health Check In, providing free guided digital support and low intensity therapy to help Australians build practical skills; and (e) strengthening access to mental health care through Medicare and community-based services; (4) acknowledges that early intervention, community connection and reducing stigma are critical to improving mental health outcomes and preventing suicide; and (5) encourages all Australians during Mental Health Month to check in with family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues, seek support when they need it, and help build communities where every person feels connected, supported and able to access quality mental health care.
Mental health is not an abstract policy issue for me; it is deeply personal. During my university years, I experienced quite severe anxiety for the very first time, and I know personally what it is like to reach out for help and support. At the time I was living in regional Queensland, and I know the challenges of living in a regional community where mental health services can be few and far between.
Members of my family have also died by suicide. I know the grief that follows, I know the questions that remain for those left behind, and I've experienced the profound ripple effect of those suicides across families and communities that can last for decades, as well as the generational trauma that is experienced. In 2024, 3,326 Australians died by suicide.
More than three-quarters of those were men. Those figures are not just statistics; each one represents a person who was loved, a family that has been changed forever and a life that mattered deeply. Today, we welcome Movember to Parliament House to highlight the urgent need to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australian men and boys.
Movember's work reminds us that prevention and early intervention must happen in the places where people live their lives: in sporting clubs, workplaces and communities. Movember's Ahead of the Game program uses community sport to help young people, coaches and parents recognise the signs that someone may be struggling, start difficult conversations and encourage them to seek help early.
These conversations can begin in change rooms, on the sideline at work and over a coffee with a mate—in a supported way. That is why I brought this motion before the chamber ahead of Mental Health Month in October. We must speak openly about mental health, we must listen without judgement, and we must ensure that, when someone finds the courage to say, 'I am not okay,' help is there.
No Australian should ever reach breaking point before they can receive support. Around this time last year, I spoke in this place about the need for more mental health services, particularly in my local community of Bonner. One year on, I am very proud to say that, as part of the Albanese Labor government, we are delivering and investing more than $1.1 billion to expand Medicare backed mental health services and grow our mental health workforce.
A national network of 92 Medicare mental health centres is being rolled out. Fifty-seven are already open and operating, and, together, they have delivered more than half a million free visits with no referral, no appointment and no cost. People can simply walk in and receive confidential support from mental health clinicians, peer support and specialist staff.
That matters because, when someone is struggling, navigating a complicated system can feel impossible. People should not have to know exactly what service they need. They should not need a diagnosis or the perfect words to explain how they feel.
They should simply be able to pick up the phone, walk through the door and say, 'I need some support.' This investment is making a real difference. Close to home, in my community of Bonner, the Redlands Medicare Mental Health Centre which services our community has already supported more than 200 people with ongoing care and recorded more than 2½ thousand service contacts.
We've also launched the Medicare Mental Health Check In, a free service available online and over the phone to anyone aged 16 and over, without a referral or diagnosis. It gives people somewhere to start, including those who cannot easily access a place based service and those living in regional and remote parts of our country. We are also investing in the mental health of young Australians.
Earlier this year, I welcomed Assistant Minister Emma McBride to headspace Capalaba, where we announced a further $800,000 in additional funding to meet growing demand in our local community. Labor has invested in mental health. I was proud to bring this motion to the chamber today because, together, we need to ensure that, when someone speaks up and speaks out and reaches out for support, the help is there and available.
Our responsibility as the government is to ensure that that next step is easier and that every Australian knows that they are not alone and that, even in their darkest moments, hope and help are within reach. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Buchholz ): Is the motion seconded? Ms Jordan-Baird: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.