The Australian Mental Health Party

29/02/2024

An interview with Mick Cooper for the Therapy and Social Change Network (TaSC) about Ben's work with The Australian Mental Health Party - looking back on what the party stood for, our vision for change and how others might learn from our experiences in making the world's first political party focused on optimising mental health and well-being.

Dr Ben Mullings, counselling psychologist, has been a fierce advocate for mental health reform in Australia. In this podcast dialogue, Ben describes his jour...

21/11/2020

REMINDER: In just under an hours time we will go live to talk about bringing the party to a close. Please join us if you'd like to share some kind words and find out what our plans are from here.

25/10/2020

Yesterday the National Executive and Joint Advisory group representatives of the party met for a vote on party dissolution. The criteria for this decision was set for at least a two-thirds majority. Votes were also cast electronically to ensure that those who couldn't attend were able to contribute. The final tally of votes was seven (7) for the motion to dissolve the party and one (1) against the motion. We will now begin the process of winding up the party.

In the comment thread below I'll share some of the discussion points we had for and against winding up before those votes were cast. For now though, I'd like to thank you all for sticking with us these past few years. Words can't express the deep admiration and respect I have for all of you.

What happens next? Our committee will now begin the work of closing things down and de-registering. In a month I'll prepare a Facebook Live session for our members and supporters to hear some final reflections and to give you an opportunity to have your say. We believe it is important to end this party on a positive note, so please help us to do that if you can.

Thanks again.

24/10/2020

Today the Joint Executive of the AMHP will vote on whether to dissolve the party.

This year has been difficult for us, as I'm sure it has been for many of you out there too. A change in leadership earlier this year took the party in a different direction, presenting new challenges around democratic decision-making within the party and finding a way to set a positive agenda in the context of a global pandemic. Stress and changes in priorities for many people have meant less participation and active involvement on our committee. Our vision to grow and expand has simply not been possible due to a lack of new leaders and supporting committee members to step up and replace those who step down.

Tomorrow we will report on the outcome of this difficult decision. We express our heartfelt appreciation to all of you who have stood by us over the last few years. Thank you.

Dr Ben Mullings (Deputy Party Leader)

12/10/2020

This is a final call out for members to get involved on our committee. Right now, our committee is short on numbers, particularly those who have experience in consultation, democratic decision making, and managing a representative group. Due to our current difficulties in recruiting new people to our committee, in a week we will be meeting to vote on whether to wind up the party. So if you have experience in governance and some passion and energy for positive mental health and well-being, now is the time!

Do you have a passion for mental health and well-being? In one way or another, most of us have some personal experiences relating to mental health. It can leave you with sense of purpose or a need to do something meaningful about the issue. Whether that’s true of your story in life or not, our …...

12/10/2020

A well-being budget would move Australia closer to an economy where we value people.

In February Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg called the idea of a well-being budget 'laughable'. It's time he took it seriously.

09/10/2020

Earlier this week, the Federal Budget announcement included a proposal to double the maximum number of sessions allowable for psychological care in the Medicare system (https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/budget-2020-21-record-health-and-aged-care-investment-under-australias-covid-19-pandemic-plan). We welcome this news and are celebrating the decision as a small but significant win for our party.

One of the key platforms of our party has been to improve access to basic mental health care, starting with key reforms to Medicare supported psychological care (https://www.amhp.org.au/2017/medicare-reforms/). As one of the the founders and former party leader, I've spent the last decade campaigning for the maximum number of sessions to be lifted to at least 20 sessions, consistent with best practice and evidence from research. It brings me a great deal of relief to see that the Australian public can now access a more reasonable duration for their therapy and giving some continuity of care for those who reach out for support in times of distress. At the same time, there's much more work to be done.

In our position statement on the Better Access program we refer to five key areas of reform, of which one has now been addressed (see link above). Importantly, if we are going to increase the maximum number of sessions allowable via Medicare, then we should also look at expanding choice of preferred provider in the scheme and work towards driving down (or eliminating) gap fees. Further to those points, many of us would also like to see a commitment to allow ongoing to access to telepsychology into the future, which is not just about social distancing but also helps to connect people with the right kind of support they need across this vast nation. We are encouraging everybody to support more reforms and to make it clear to our political leaders that the number of sessions in Medicare should never be cut down to those low levels again.

We wish to thank all of our members and supporters for standing with us in calling for change. Without you this change would never have been possible. Thank you!

Ben Mullings

Medicare support for psychological care has been problematic for many years. At the National Conference, the Australian Mental Health Party will propose several areas of reform to directly address and resolve these issues. More appointments for those who need them In the current Medicare system peop...

25/09/2020

Our party needs you. Is mental health and positive well-being on you radar? Please join us and get involved. We are only as strong as the people who stand with us.

Do you have a passion for mental health and well-being? In one way or another, most of us have some personal experiences relating to mental health. It can leave you with sense of purpose or a need to do something meaningful about the issue. Whether that’s true of your story in life or not, our …...