Suicide Prevention ConferenceMHCV attended the National Suicide Prevention Conference 2026 at the ICC in Sydney from the 28th-30th of April, including a policy roundtable co-hosted by LifeWays, Suicide Prevention Australia, the National Suicide Prevention Office, and Roses in the Ocean. It was a really meaningful few days, bringing together over 1000 people from across the country who are all committed to suicide prevention.
The theme of the conference was “United Voices, Brighter futures”. A big focus throughout the conference was on how we work better together, advocating for bringing lived and living experience, research, and policy into the same space in a more connected and thoughtful way. There was a shared sense that we already know a lot about what helps, but the challenge now is making sure it’s put into practice in a consistent and coordinated way. Pictured here is a wall of signatures taken halfway through the conference featuring members of the conference who are committed to working better together.
There were also important conversations about how we understand suicide, not just through systems and data, but through real people’s experiences. Lived experience has a key role in helping bridge that gap and make sure that how the ‘system’ reacts and responds feel both practical and human.
Across it all, one message stood out: the importance of connection. Strong relationships, community, and a sense of belonging are at the heart of suicide prevention. We know that carers play a big part in this, often quietly supporting and holding things together. Mental health carers deserve greater recognition. Mental Health Australia Members Policy ForumMental Health Carers Voice recently attended the Mental Health Australia Members Policy Forum, where sector leaders, policymakers and advocacy organisations came together to discuss priorities for the future of Australia’s mental health system.
A key focus of the forum was the development of the new National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, with strong calls to ensure carers, families and kin are recognised and embedded throughout future reforms and service design.
Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening foundational and psychosocial supports, improving connection to care, investing in the peer workforce, and ensuring social and emotional wellbeing is embedded across all aspects of the system. There was also discussion around the need for improved interoperability between services to create more consistent, safe and connected experiences for people accessing care and the carers supporting them.
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP, spoke about current and future investments across the sector, including the expansion of Medicare Mental Health Centres, Headspace services, perinatal mental health supports and digital mental health initiatives.
One initiative discussed at the forum was the Take a step towards better wellbeing | Medicare Mental Health Check In program, which aims to provide accessible early mental health support and connection to care. MHCV will continue following developments in this space and advocating for reforms that strengthen recognition, inclusion and support for mental health carers across Australia. ACT Health and Community Services Directorate Mental Health Services Plan WorkshopsMHCV staff and mental health carers recently took part in consultation workshops to help shape the future ACT Mental Health Services Plan. The Plan will look at how mental health services can work better together, including how they integrate with alcohol and other drug services, suicide prevention, physical healthcare, and supports for people with intellectual disability.
It will guide how ACT Government-funded mental health services are improved, redesigned, and invested in over the next 5–8 years. You can read more about the Mental Health Services plan in the 2025-2030 ACT Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Regional Plan: The Framework NDIS ChangesMHCV understands that recent announcements about changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may be worrying for many mental health carers in the ACT.
While these reforms aim to make the NDIS more sustainable, there is still a lot we don’t yet know—particularly about changes to plans and access to essential supports. As the system continues to change, we also need to make sure there is a clear and coordinated approach so that gaps don’t grow, shifting even more responsibilities and costs onto carers, families, supporters and kin.
Carers ACT will keep a close eye on what’s happening, continue to advocate for carers, and make sure their voices are included in the conversations shaping these reforms. You can read the Carers ACT statement here: https://bit.ly/3QkPUNd
Mental Health Carer Forums – MHCA supported by SANEDo you have a question? Interested in what others are talking about, the Carers Forum is a safe, anonymous community for the carers, friends and families of people living with mental illness, moderated 24/7 by mental health professionals.
Friends, families and carers - SANE Forums
Mental Health Carer Support GroupsAre you supporting a family member, partner, friend, or loved one living with mental health challenges? Mental health carers play an important role in providing emotional, practical, and ongoing support — often while balancing their own wellbeing, responsibilities, and daily life.
Carers ACT Mental Health Carer Support Groups offer a safe and supportive space to connect with others who understand these experiences. Facilitated by a counsellor, the groups provide opportunities for peer connection, shared understanding, and support.
Group Details
Northside Support Group Dates: Second Tuesday each month Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm Location: Carers ACT, 2/80 Beaurepaire Crescent Holt
Southside Support Group Dates: Third Monday of each month Times: 6:00pm to 8:00pm Location: Communities at Work, 245 Cowlishaw Street, Greenway
How to Access
Participants must:
- Be registered with Carers ACT (you can register here: Carer Registration Form)
- Register for the session prior to attending
- Be providing care to someone living with mental health challenges
To access the groups, please register via the Carer Portal or email: carer.support@carersact.org.au Medical Mental Health Check-inMedicare Mental Health Check In is a free national digital mental health service for people aged 16 and over living in Australia.
The service offers practical online tools and optional support from trained mental health practitioners via phone or video to help people manage stress, anxiety, low mood, and feeling overwhelmed.
No referral or diagnosis is needed, and support is available early before concerns become more severe. To access the service, you can call 1800 595 212 or visit Medicare Mental Health Check In. Everymind Launches the Minds Together Program Everymind has launched the Minds Together program, designed specifically for family, friends, and carers of individuals experiencing suicidal distress or recovering from a suicide attempt.
Through small, in-person group sessions led by trained facilitators, carers can share experiences and gain insights from others who understand their journey.
This program offers practical strategies, personal stories, and evidence-based tools to help carers manage stress, improve communication, and strengthen their coping skills.
If you’re interested in attending a session, please reach out to Everymind:
Email: mindstogether@health.nsw.gov.au
To learn more about Everymind's Minds Together program, click this link: https://mindstogether.org.au/supporting-someone-in-the-act |
