Building Mentally Healthy Futures: A Call to Action

Abstract

Two years ago, Australia’s Mental Health Think Tank (2022) released the policy paper Building Mentally Healthy Futures: Australian Youth Recovery Plan. The plan put forward eight evidence-based policy recommendations addressing three primary drivers of the disproportionate mental health burden on young Australians: economic inequalities, social disconnection and lack of access to quality mental health services. In light of the compounding effects of additional economic and social crises in recent years, Australia’s Mental Health Think Tank have identified the critical need to take stock of progress made against the original policy paper recommendations, re-examine the evidence, and issue a renewed call for policy action. As the 2025 federal election approaches, this timely policy report focuses on actionable, evidence-based steps a newly elected government can take to address the drivers of escalating mental health issues in the Australian population.