Mental Health Commission of NSW

Home
Australia
Sydney, NSW
Mental Health Commission of NSW

The Commission advocates for mental health system reform and promotes mental health and wellbeing

04/09/2026

What do people with lived experience say is needed to improve su***de prevention in NSW?

Our latest Shifting the Landscape su***de prevention report highlights progress in lived experience leadership, peer-led supports and su***de prevention services, while identifying priorities for future reform.

These findings will help inform su***de prevention planning across NSW.

Read the report: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/report/tracking-change-su***de-prevention-year-2-monitoring-and-evaluation-shifting-landscape

02/09/2026

This Su***de Prevention Month, we're highlighting our ongoing work to reduce su***de and support the mental health and wellbeing of communities across NSW.

Read more about how consultation, collaboration and evidence are helping shape future su***de prevention efforts: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/su***de-prevention-month-working-together-prevent-su***de-nsw

28/08/2026

Where you live, what you can afford and what is happening in your life all shape your mental health and your ability to get support. These were strong themes from our consultation with more than 5,500 people and 400 organisations across NSW. People told us about the impact of cost of living and housing pressures, difficulties accessing care in regional communities, and a system that can be difficult to navigate.

The National Mental Health Commission’s National Report Card 2025 shows many of the same challenges at a national level – and highlights significant gaps in what we know about people’s experiences and outcomes.
We need better data to understand what is working, where investment is going, and whether it is making a difference.

As we develop the next 10-year NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform Strategy, we are looking at how stronger outcomes measurement, monitoring and reporting can help drive greater accountability and better outcomes across the system.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4zzJsDY

Read the National Mental Health Commission National Report Card 2025: https://bit.ly/4isMoMA

26/08/2026

New Australian Institute of Health & Wellbeing data reveals that more people are returning to homelessness services for support, while increasing numbers of older Australians are seeking help for the first time.

These findings reinforce what we heard during our What We Heard consultation. Without safe and stable housing, it is much harder for people to maintain their mental health and wellbeing.

The data highlights the growing intersection between mental health challenges and homelessness.

➡️ More than 25,000 people with mental health challenges now access specialist homelessness services each year.
➡️ Almost half of homelessness clients experience mental health challenges, rising from 38% to 45% over 10 years
➡️ The increase in people returning for support, from 38% to 45% between 2015/16 and 2024/25, suggests many are not finding the stable, long-term housing and support they need.
➡️ Older people with mental health challenges are increasingly at risk, with sharp growth in homelessness among people aged 55 and over.

New measures of persistent homelessness show that people experiencing mental health issues are particularly vulnerable to experiencing entrenched housing disadvantage increasing by 19% between 2018/19 to 2024/25.

Our What We Heard Population Profile: People Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Instability captures feedback from people who told us that safe, affordable housing is fundamental to mental health and recovery, and that stronger coordination between housing, mental health and social support systems is essential.

People also highlighted the need to move beyond crisis responses and invest in earlier intervention, coordinated supports and long-term housing stability to help people stay well, connected and housed.

The Commission is combining this data with the experiences shared through our What We Heard report to develop a whole of government strategy for mental health and wellbeing reform in NSW.

Read the population profile: https://bit.ly/4xl5N6J

Find out more in our mental health indicators: https://bit.ly/3UlYTj1

25/08/2026

Catch up on the latest mental health and wellbeing news, data and reform updates from across NSW.

In our latest edition:
➡️ What the latest data tells us about homelessness and mental health
➡️ Updates from our two new Su***de Prevention Councils
➡️ Progress on the state’s next Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Read more, and sign up to receive Commission Connect at www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/commission-connect-august-edition-now-available

21/08/2026

Are you an Aboriginal su***de prevention or social and emotional wellbeing service provider living in Broken Hill, Menindee or Wilcannia?

We've partnered with First Nations Co. to develop a statewide Aboriginal Su***de Prevention Plan and want to yarn with you. We want to hear what's working well in your community, the challenges you’re facing, and your ideas for strengthening social and emotional wellbeing and su***de prevention across NSW.

Where: Broken Hill Community Centre
When: Monday, 24 August from 10am - 12pm

Where: Menindee Civic Hall
When: Tuesday, 25 August from 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Where: The Wilcannia Workshop & Events Centre
When: Wednesday, 26 August from 10am - 12pm

For more information, visit www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/we-want-hear-aboriginal-people-nsw

18/08/2026

Connection, belonging and community are essential to mental health and wellbeing.

Last week, the Mental Health Commission of NSW and ASPIRE brought together leaders, practitioners, people with lived experience and researchers at Connecting for Wellbeing: The Future of Social Prescribing in NSW to explore how social prescribing can connect people with community activities, social networks and local supports that help them live well.

Key messages that emerged from the event included:

- Mental health and wellbeing are shaped by the social, economic, and environmental conditions in which people live, as well as by their connection to and participation in their communities.
- Improving wellbeing does not always mean creating another service, the challenge can be helping people discover and access these opportunities.
- Keynote speaker Dr Jill Sonke highlighted arts and culture as important drivers of health. Research presented at the event showed that people aged over 50 who participate in the arts at least once a month have a 48% lower risk of developing depression.

We also heard from four case studies that demonstrated how social prescribing is being applied across Australia, including initiatives from COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN, Nepean Blue Mountains PHN, Northern NSW’s Healthy Towns, and an arts-based collaboration between the Art Gallery of NSW and Black Dog Institute.

Read more about the event and the future of social prescribing in NSW: www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/news/beyond-healthcare-exploring-role-social-prescribing-mental-health-and-wellbeing

12/08/2026

What if supporting mental health and wellbeing meant asking not only “what’s wrong with you?” but also “what matters to you?”

Today, the Mental Health Commission of NSW and A S P I R E Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research & Education are bringing together leaders from health, research, government and community at NSW Parliament House for Connecting for Wellbeing: The Future of Social Prescribing in NSW.

We’re delighted to welcome international speaker Dr Jill Sonke, a globally recognised leader in arts and health, who will share international evidence on the role of community and cultural participation in wellbeing.

Social prescribing connects people with activities and supports in their communities that can improve wellbeing – from arts, culture and sport to community groups and volunteering.

Acting Mental Health Commissioner Julie Dixon says: “Connection and purpose aren’t optional extras – they are core parts of staying well.”

Alongside Professor JR Baker from ASPIRE and NSW organisations putting social prescribing into practice, today’s conversation will explore the growing evidence, showcase what is already happening across NSW and consider how social prescribing could strengthen prevention, wellbeing and community connection.

11/08/2026

Strong communities play an important role in su***de prevention. That's why the Mental Health Commission continues to support a whole-of-government approach, recognising that factors such as connection, belonging and participation are shaped by many sectors beyond health.

Julie Dixon, Acting Mental Health Commissioner, and Melanie Hawyes, Secretary of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, recently met to discuss how sport, arts, culture, public spaces and community participation can foster meaningful connection, belonging and wellbeing.

The discussion reinforced the importance of whole-of-government collaboration to strengthen protective factors against su***de and to support the mental health and wellbeing of all communities.

Address

PO BOX 5343
Sydney, NSW
2001

Website

http://www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mental Health Commission of NSW posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.