About Us

Citizen-led action for Australia’s mental health & wellbeing

Australians for Mental Health is a national member-based advocacy organisation committed to tackling the root issues that impact mental health and wellbeing across Australia.

We believe in collective responses to the mental health crisis. Every one of us has a powerful story to tell about mental health in our lives and in the lives of the people we love.

And we believe that when we get together, we can make a powerful case for the changes to policies, norms, attitudes, systems, laws and institutions that are desperately needed for better mental health across Australia.

Our Founder & Founding

After some successful community advocacy campaigns in the early 2010s, former Australian of the Year Prof. Pat McGorry convened a group of leaders who wanted to build ongoing momentum for change.

In 2014 a small group of community leaders, mental health experts, community activists and business leaders – all with direct personal experience of mental health challenges – came together to create Australians for Mental Health.

Working towards an Australia where Every Mind Matters

We want an Australia that puts mental health at the centre of everything we do: where every Australian has their mental health needs recognised and met, in every aspect of how we live, work and play.

We see mental health as not merely the absence of mental illness, but central to the ability of Australians to live full, wholehearted lives.

We believe optimal mental health can be achieved when EVERY MIND MATTERS:

When every Australian, regardless of circumstance, has access to quality care when and where they need it, at a price they can afford.
When government policies, laws, budgets and norms are geared towards meeting the needs of people, and where care is taken to not harm the mental health and wellbeing of Australians in everything we do. Not just in the clinical treatment system, but in every part of society, the economy and bureaucracy.
When social attitudes and behaviours orient towards supporting each other, and we accept collective responsibility for solving the mental health crisis.

Awareness is not enough: we need to build collective community power

Australians for Mental Health is building a citizen-led movement across every part of Australia that connects the millions of Australians who care about mental health, so that together we can:

Build a collective voice for change, community by community and across the country, that is too powerful to ignore.
Amplify the stories of everyday people, so that mental health reform genuinely meets the needs of citizens.
Achieve tangible, practical changes that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Australians.

We recognise the vital importance of awareness campaigns in reducing stigma and getting public attention on mental health.

But we also know that awareness alone is not enough. We know that dismantling harmful systems and genuinely tackling roots causes – including root injustices – takes real people power.

What we are doing to make it happen

Making Connections

People power starts with relationships. We are creating spaces for people of all walks of life who share a passion for mental health to meet, connect and create solutions for meaningful policy change.

Developing Leadership

We are building a network of skilled up local leaders and change-makers who can help build the movement, strategise, take action and win.

Speaking Up

We amplify the stories of everyday people and speak up in the community, the media and the halls of power for the change Australia needs.

Contribute to real solutions

Now is the time to turn momentum into change. By joining today, you’ll add your voice to powerful campaigns, connect with others taking action, and help win the changes our communities need.

AFMH membership provides you with access to community meet-ups and campaigns that turn your voice into genuine impact.

(Free for the first 30 days, then only $4 per month)