A recent interim report from the Productivity Commission (PC) has raised significant concerns regarding the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, indicating that it is “not fit for purpose.” This agreement was created in 2022, and is aimed to enhance collaboration between States and Territories and Commonwealth Government, while improving outcomes for individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges. However, the report reveals that it has made minimal progress towards its objectives.
You can read the interim report here.
Commissioner Selwyn Button pointed out that the current framework lacks cohesion among its various outputs and initiatives, ultimately failing to deliver the systemic change it promised. Many people with lived experience, carers, and service providers shared their frustrations during consultations about ongoing difficulties in accessing and affording essential care, highlighting the uncoordinated nature of available services.
A significant shortcoming of the Agreement is its inability to fulfill a key commitment: the development of psychosocial supports outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Since the NDIS rollout, around 500,000 people living with mental illness nationally have been left without necessary support, underscoring the urgent need for national coordination—something the current Agreement has failed to provide.
We know here in South Australia there are 19,000 people and we are still waiting on funding to support them.
While some outputs have been delivered nationally, they have not resulted in meaningful change. Limited funding and lack of support for key areas, such as improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, further illustrate the Agreement’s shortcomings.
To promote real progress, the Productivity Commission recommends extending the current Agreement through 2027, allowing time for a new, collaboratively designed framework that prioritises input from those directly affected by mental health issues.
The Mental Health Coalition of South Australia echoes this call for focused objectives, substantial commitments, and accountability in achieving measurable outcomes. It is time to put people’s needs at the forefront and create a system that works for everyone.
The Commission is inviting further feedback from interested people and organisations, you can find out more here.
