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Good evening everyone.
I’d like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples.
I pay my respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations people here tonight.
I also recognise everyone here with lived experience of mental health challenges.
I’m pleased to be here on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Anthony Albanese.
Thank you Yas and Serving our People for inviting me to the People’s Ball, which aims to shine a spotlight on mental health – an issue of national significance.
One in five Australian adults and two in five young people now experience mental health challenges.
This affects all of us – our families, workplaces, and communities right across the country.
And I am proud our government is making mental health one of our core priorities.
We’re working to make sure more Australians can access the care they need by meeting people where they are.
We understand that mental health is individual and complex and there are many drivers of distress.
Whether we feel safe and supported.
Whether we have financial security, stable housing, and strong cultural and social connections.
And we know it is an issue that affects us all. It’s the most common reason why people visit their GP.
That’s why – at the last election – I was proud to stand alongside the Prime Minister and the Health Minister to announce a historic $1.1 billion dollar investment in mental health and wellbeing.
We're putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and services in the centre of communities.
To develop a new system of mental health care – across the life span, and across the country.
Through more Medicare Mental Health Centres, an expanded and upgraded headspace network, new Youth Specialist Care Centres, and Kids Hubs for children and their families. This includes a headspace Plus in Woolloongabba.
Perinatal Mental Health Centres for expectant and new parents.
And residential centres for people living with eating disorders.
Last month I was extremely proud to open the first Medicare Mental Health Centre in North West Queensland – in Mount Isa – one of 15 currently open in your state.
We are on the way to deliver 91 centres across the country where people can walk-in to a welcoming space and seek support.
Without an appointment. Without a referral. For free.
With services tailored to local needs, and peer workers who bring their own lived experience.
And a new National Early Intervention Service is coming next year to provide free mental health support to people wherever they live.
We’re also funding more than 1,200 extra training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.
With special attention to First Nations communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and rural and remote areas.
Tonight, our special focus is on men.
We know there are different pressures on their mental health – and too many are lost to suicide.
Especially First Nations men.
That is why I was so pleased Gayaa Dhuwi, in partnership with our government, launched the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy this year.
Promoting cultural identity and making culturally appropriate care more widely available.
Sitting alongside the National Suicide Prevention Strategy launched in February.
These strategies set out what’s needed for a comprehensive, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Delivering high-quality care and preventing suicidal distress before it begins.
With 75 per cent of the lives lost to suicide being male, we must better understand what supports men and boys need.
In addition to these, we’re funding innovative suicide prevention programs for men.
This includes DadBooster to deliver a world-first, evaluated online treatment for paternal depression.
The Men’s Table to foster connection and wellbeing through shared conversation.
MATES in Construction and MATES in Manufacturing, helping men in the building and manufacturing industries build resilience and seek support at work.
And we’re funding Parents Beyond Breakup – supporting men through the challenges of relationship breakdown.
All of this adds up to meaningful change.
But I know there is more to do.
As a mental health practitioner, I saw firsthand how important it is to help people sooner so distress doesn’t escalate to crisis.
Which is why our government is working to make that support available to everyone.
We also recognise the valuable work community groups are doing to support men and women through life’s challenges.
Serving Our People is one of those groups – delivering support, dignity and compassion to individuals and communities in crisis.
What started as a small act of service has grown into a national movement, with over 7,000 volunteers.
You meet people where they are – in their homes and in communities – and respond with practical solutions that make an immediate difference.
Thank you for all you do and thank you for holding this event to raise awareness of men’s mental health.
Let’s keep working together. Let’s keep driving change. And let’s help create a healthier and fairer Australia together.