Catholic Health Australia Submission: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review

Executive summary

The Productivity Commission (PC) is leading a review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement (the National Agreement), which sets out the shared intention of Commonwealth, state and territory governments to work in partnership to strengthen the mental health system and reduce the incidence of suicide of all Australians.

The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement (National Agreement) sets out the shared intention of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to work together to:
• improve the mental health of all Australians
• reduce the rate of suicide towards zero
• improve the Australian mental health and suicide prevention system.

The interim report of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review (the Review) articulates the following:
• wellbeing and productivity impacts the mental health and suicide prevention programs and services delivered under the National Agreement
• the effectiveness of the administration of the National Agreement, including reporting and governance.
• proposed options to ensure the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those with lived and living experiences are heard.

CHA understands that the PC has assessed progress under the National Agreement (Chapter 2), evaluated its overall effectiveness (Chapter 3), and identified key areas for future focus and reform (Chapter 4). We have also explored the unique considerations for supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Chapter 5), as well as opportunities to strengthen suicide prevention services (Chapter 6).

This submission consolidates CHA’s views on the draft recommendations, findings and information requests outlined in the interim report. It includes proposals aimed at enhancing productivity across the care economy and supporting the long-term integration of care systems.
Additionally, it offers broader commentary on key opportunities to ensure the findings meaningfully inform the development of a new National Agreement that strengthens the mental health system and contributes to the Productivity Commission’s broader goals of advancing
national prosperity and economic progress.

As Australia’s largest non-government network of health, community, and aged care services, Catholic Health Australia (CHA) and its members play a leading role in the care economy. With deep experience across the sector, CHA is well positioned to meaningfully contribute to the current policy reform agenda. This submission reinforces the case for a cohesive, system-wide response that delivers care more efficiently and, most importantly, returns more time to care.