The Chair of Mental Health Australia, Matt Berriman, recently stepped down from his role, citing dissatisfaction with the government's approach to mental health. Berriman, who was appointed to the position in December 2021 and re-appointed for two more years, expressed disappointment over what he perceived as 20 years of neglect towards mental health in the country, especially by the current Labor government.
Berriman highlighted various issues with the government's handling of mental health, including insufficient funding, ineffective allocation of taxpayer money, and a lack of emphasis on the importance of mental health issues. He raised concerns about the significant budget allocated to defense and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) compared to mental health, which he believed deserved greater financial attention due to the widespread impact it has on millions of Australians.
Despite his criticisms of government inaction, Berriman did acknowledge Health Minister Mark Butler and Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston for their care and concern for mental health issues. However, he expressed disappointment in not having the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his tenure, highlighting a perceived lack of attention and prioritization of mental health at the highest levels of government.