“The Four Corners program aired on ABC on Monday 2 June 2025 confirms what our sector has been saying for years: the mental health system is in crisis,” said Kerry Hawkins, CEO of Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA).
“What’s happening in New South Wales is devastating, but it’s part of a broader national story. Every state and territory is experiencing growing pressure. People are falling through the cracks of a system that was never built to meet their needs,” added Kerry.
“We agree that psychiatrists are vital, but psychiatrists alone cannot hold up a collapsing system,” commented Kerry.
“This is not just a clinical workforce issue, it is a structural failure. We need to rebuild from the ground up.
That means real investment in the community-managed mental health sector; the part of the system that prevents crisis by addressing people’s needs earlier and helping people live with dignity in the community,” Kerry said.
“We cannot solve this by pouring more resources into hospital emergency departments alone. We must properly fund the full continuum of care, and that includes community-based mental health services that are currently overstretched, undervalued, and under-recognised,” continued Kerry.
CMHA urges all governments to recognise this moment as a turning point.
Patch-up solutions are no longer enough. Long-term, systemic reform is the only way forward if we are serious about building a better mental health system.
“Together, we can build a system that works, one that listens to people with lived experience, values frontline workers, and puts human rights at the heart of care,” said Kerry.
“This is a moment for action, not blame. It’s a chance to transform the system, but only if we work together and commit to whole-of-system reform,” Kerry concluded.
Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA) is the national peak body representing the community mental health sector. Collectively, member organisations of CMHA represent 400+ community managed organisations, supporting millions of Australians.
For interview
Email k.hawkins@cmha.org.au
Tel 0403 961 498