Our work related to mental health and suicide prevention

This program funds Primary Health Networks to engage culturally appropriate mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Be You provides educators in early learning services and schools with information, advice and support. This helps them teach children and young people skills for good social and emotional development, work together with families, recognise mental ill-health and refer them to appropriate support.

The Better Access initiative was evaluated and the final report received in December 2022. The evaluation considered if Better Access improves outcomes and increases access to mental health care. It also considered how we can improve Better Access.

The Better Access initiative gives Medicare rebates to help people access mental health professionals and care, regardless of where they live. Find out how the initiative works, who is eligible and how you can access supports.

People with severe mental illness may need extra support with their day-to-day living. We fund this program to help connect them to community services and strengthen their social, educational and vocational skills.

Digital mental health services offer free or low-cost online and phone support to Australians in need. These services are important for those who might not otherwise seek support, are in a crisis, or live in rural areas. Find out how to access support.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health provides a national focus on mental health and suicide prevention for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It provides mental health services and access to culturally accessible resources, services and information.

We undertook a review to advise and recommend possible enhancements to the Australian Men’s Shed Association’s (AMSA) governance arrangements and Australian Government funding to the men’s shed movement in Australia.

Griefline is a free national helpline offering confidential telephone counselling 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They provide early intervention and prevention of mental health difficulties, which may compound a person’s experience of grief, loss and trauma.

Head to Health provides information, advice and links to free and low-cost phone and online mental health services, as well as supports to help you or someone you know.

headspace provides mental health support services to young people aged 12 to 25 years, who are experiencing, or at risk, of mental ill-health.

15 HeadtoHelp hubs have been established to support Victorians during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Victorians affected by COVID-19 can access the free HeadtoHelp services by attending in-person at a clinic near them or by calling 1800 595 212 to talk a mental health professional about their needs.

The Australian Government is investing in a multi-year Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study (IHMHS). The IHMHS will provide the most complete picture ever collected of Australia's physical and mental health.

The Australian Government is investing $7.8 million until June 2025 to ensure services are available to PHN-commissioned mental health services. The funding is to support removing barriers faced by Australians from multicultural backgrounds when accessing mental health support.

Kids Helpline provides a free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged 5 to 25 years. The service is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia.

Life in Mind connects suicide prevention services to each other and the community.

Lifeline provides information and immediate phone support to people who are struggling, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The expanded eligibility for aged care residents under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative, through GP referral, ceases on 31 December 2022.

Medicare Mental Health Centres are a welcoming and non-judgemental place where you can access free mental health information, services and supports.

Men’s sheds are community-based, non-commercial organisations that are open to all men. Men’s sheds improve the health and wellbeing of their members by giving them a safe place to make friends, share meaningful activities, talk, and access health information and resources.

Regional coordinators provide support to men’s sheds in each state and territory in Australia to support men’s access to health information and resources to improve their wellbeing.

The Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission is investing $125 million to support a million Australians with mental health issues. This funding will enable access to new approaches to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Mindframe guides the media on reporting sensitively about suicide, mental ill-health, alcohol and other drugs.

MindSpot is a free digital mental health clinic, guided by qualified therapists, which provides information about mental health, online assessments and online treatment for adults with anxiety, stress, depression and chronic pain.

The Australian Government has allocated funding for a study looking at the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children and adolescents.