National Mental Health Agreement? It’s Falling Short.
The Productivity Commission just dropped its interim report on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement - and the reality check is hard to ignore it's not working.
What’s Broken?
The system is fragmented, underfunded, and hard to navigate. Even worse? It’s not improving mental health outcomes, and suicide rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have gone up. That’s a national crisis.
Promises Made, Not Kept
Some goals were checked off, but they haven’t made a real difference. Critical actions like reducing stigma and improving local access to support are still missing.
500,000+ People Are Missing Out
Over half a million Australians who don’t qualify for the NDIS are going without the support they need. The Commission is pushing for clear leadership, sustainable funding, and a solid national plan to close this gap by 2030.
QAMH Saw This Coming
In 2024 and again in 2025, QAMH warned that the system was failing. Their recommendations:
- A 5-year national plan co-designed with people who’ve lived it
- Ongoing, flexible funding for community mental health
- Services that are culturally safe, local, and community-led
What Needs to Change
The Commission’s vision for reform includes:
- A new National Mental Health Strategy
- A stronger, five-year Agreement with real outcomes and accountability
- A roadmap to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing
- Serious investment in early intervention and peer support
- More power and flexibility for Primary Health Networks
What QAMH Is Saying Now
It’s time to stop just talking about reform and actually make it happen. Community mental health is not a bonus. It’s essential. It’s what helps people heal, recover, and live well.
With the final report landing in October 2025, Queensland Alliance for Mental Health is calling on leaders to take real action. Fund what works. Empower communities. Build a system that helps people thrive.
Credit: Original content from Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH), published 14 July 2025.
