top of page
Search
All Posts


International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The Holocaust stands as one of history’s clearest warnings of what happens when hatred is normalised, when people are dehumanised, and when silence allows fear and prejudice to take root. It reminds us that violence does not begin with weapons it begins with words, exclusion, and the erosion of empathy.

Shane Warren
Jan 272 min read


Australia Day is held in many different ways.
For some, it is a day of celebration and pride. For others, it carries grief, anger, or a reminder of loss and injustice.For many, it is a mixture of all of these things.

Shane Warren
Jan 261 min read


Service Is Service — Every Contribution Matters
As a community, and as a nation, our duty is simple: honour every contribution, support every return, and never diminish the service of others to validate our own.

Shane Warren
Jan 242 min read


International Day of Education
On International Day of Education, VMHPAA recognises education as one of the most powerful protective factors for mental health, social stability, and lifelong wellbeing.

Shane Warren
Jan 242 min read


Join Us! Why?
There’s a particular kind of professional loneliness that can creep into vocational mental health work...

Shane Warren
Jan 234 min read


World Braille Day
On World Braille Day, we recognise the vital role Braille plays in advancing inclusion, independence, and equal access to information for people who are blind or have low vision.

Shane Warren
Jan 41 min read


International Mind–Body Wellness Day
On International Mind–Body Wellness Day, we are reminded that mental health and physical health are not separate systems, but rather they are deeply interconnected.

Shane Warren
Jan 31 min read


A Festive Season Message
AWARENESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release 23rd December 2025 A Festive Season Message from VHPAA As the Christmas and festive season approaches, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia extends warm wishes to all those who celebrate this time of year. For many, the festive season brings moments of connection, reflection, celebration and joy as time is spent with family, friends and community. We hope these moments are meaningful, restorative, and fi

Shane Warren
Dec 23, 20251 min read


Welcoming Hanukkah / Chanukah – Honouring Light, Resilience and Community
As Jewish communities across Australia and around the world gather to celebrate Hanukkah (Chanukah), the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) warmly acknowledges this important festival and extends our best wishes to all those marking the lighting of the first candle of the menorah.

Shane Warren
Dec 14, 20252 min read


VMHPAA Welcomes Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s - but Warns It Cannot Stand Alone: Call for urgent regulation of harmful algorithms and accountability across tech platforms
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) acknowledges today’s historic step as Australia becomes the first country in the world to implement a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16. This landmark policy recognises what mental health practitioners, educators, and families have seen for years: unregulated social media environments can expose young people to harm long before they have the developmental capacity to manage i

Shane Warren
Dec 10, 20253 min read


Bodhi Day: VMHPAA acknowledges a day of awakening, compassion, and mindful peace
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) recognises Bodhi Day, observed annually on 8 December, which commemorates the moment the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), attained enlightenment- bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.

Shane Warren
Dec 8, 20251 min read


VMHPAA Celebrates the International Day of People with Disability: Championing Inclusion, Accessibility, and Mental Health Equity
Today, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) proudly joins communities across the nation and around the world in recognising the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) — a national celebration promoting understanding, inclusion, and empowerment of people with disability.

Shane Warren
Dec 3, 20252 min read


Commemorating Rosa Parks’ Courage and Standing for Multicultural Harmony
December 1 marks the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ quiet yet profound act of courage in Montgomery, Alabama, when she refused to give up her seat on a city bus in defiance of racial segregation laws — an act that ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Her stand was not just about a seat: it was a declaration of dignity, justice, and human equality that resonated across generations.

Shane Warren
Dec 1, 20252 min read


VMHPAA Marks World AIDS Day With a Call to Break Stigma and Strengthen Mental Health Support
On World AIDS Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) stands in solidarity with people living with HIV, their families, carers, and communities. While advances in treatment mean that HIV is now a manageable health condition for many, the mental health impacts remain significant - often due not to the virus itself, but to stigma, discrimination, and isolation.

Shane Warren
Nov 30, 20252 min read


World Compassion Day:VMHPAA Highlights Compassion as a Core Ingredient of Mental Wellbeing and Community Care
Today, on World Compassion Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) calls on all Australians to embrace compassion as a daily practice not just a sentiment. Compassion is one of the most powerful tools we have for strengthening mental wellbeing, reducing stigma, and building healthier, more connected communities.

Shane Warren
Nov 28, 20252 min read


International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women:VMHPAA Calls for Safety, Prevention, and Trauma-Informed Support for All Survivors
Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) stands in solidarity with women, families, and communities affected by gender-based violence.

Shane Warren
Nov 24, 20252 min read


Transgender Day of Remembrance: VMHPAA Calls for Safety, Respect, and Systemic Change
On Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) honours the memory of transgender and gender-diverse people whose lives have been lost to violence, discrimination, or systemic neglect. TDOR is a solemn reminder of the ongoing risks faced by trans communities and of the collective responsibility to create a safer, more inclusive Australia.

Shane Warren
Nov 19, 20252 min read


Universal Children’s Day: VMHPAA Calls for Stronger Commitment to Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
This Universal Children’s Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) celebrates the joy, creativity, and limitless potential of every child; while calling for urgent action to ensure that all children can grow up safe, supported, and mentally well.

Shane Warren
Nov 19, 20252 min read


World Diabetes Day: VMHPAA Highlights the Essential Link Between Diabetes Care and Mental Health
Today, on World Diabetes Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) draws attention to a critical yet often overlooked reality: effective diabetes management must include mental health support.

Shane Warren
Nov 14, 20252 min read


World Kindness Day: Small Acts, Big Impact - VMHPAA Calls for Compassion as a Cornerstone of Community Mental Health
Today on World Kindness Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) highlights the profound impact kindness has on mental wellbeing, community cohesion, and emotional resilience.

Shane Warren
Nov 13, 20252 min read
bottom of page
