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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
2 days ago3 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
4 days ago1 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 32 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 302 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 282 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 242 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 192 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 192 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 142 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 132 min read


VMHPAA welcomes the homecoming of Joy to Darlinghurst and honours the stories of sex workers
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) welcomes the return of Joy - widely regarded as the world’s first public statue honouring sex workers -to its original plinth in Darlinghurst, following a community-led effort and the City of Sydney’s reinstallation of a new bronze replica.

Shane Warren
Nov 82 min read


International Stress Awareness Day: VMHPAA Calls for a National Focus on Practical Stress Support and Early Intervention
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) marks International Stress Awareness Day by urging Australians to pause, reflect, and prioritise their mental wellbeing, and by calling on governments to strengthen early-intervention supports across communities.

Shane Warren
Nov 52 min read


VMHPAA launches petition urging safe, fair, and practical rollout of counselling standards
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has launched a public petition calling for a safe, fair, and practical implementation of the Final National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (October 2025), with three immediate actions for government...

Shane Warren
Oct 312 min read


Intersex Awareness Day: VMHPAA calls for dignity, informed consent, and inclusive care for people with intersex variations
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) marks Intersex Awareness Day by standing in solidarity with intersex people and calling for services, workplaces, and communities to move beyond awareness toward practical, rights-affirming action.

Shane Warren
Oct 262 min read


VMHPAA - Update: Major wins for Vocational Counsellors and a clear path into licensing design
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) welcomes the Federal Government’s Proposed National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (October 2025), noting significant progress toward fair recognition of vocational pathways and proportionate quality assurance across the workforce.

Susan Sandy
Oct 241 min read


VMHPAA welcomes national steps toward a stronger anti-bullying strategy for schools
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) is heartened by the Federal Government’s progress toward a national anti-bullying strategy for schools, including proposals for consistent standards across jurisdictions, faster school responses, and better support for students, families, and educators. Recent reporting indicates ministers are moving on measures such as clear response timeframes, teacher training, and nationally consistent guidance i

Shane Warren
Oct 182 min read


World Menopause Day: VMHPAA backs 2025 theme “Lifestyle Medicine” and calls for practical, evidence-based supports at work and in care
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) marks World Menopause Day by endorsing the 2025 global theme set by the International Menopause Society - Lifestyle Medicine - and urging employers and services to embed practical, evidence-based supports for people experiencing peri-menopause and menopause.

Shane Warren
Oct 182 min read


Diwali: VMHPAA sends warm wishes for a joyful and safe Festival of Lights
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) extends warm greetings to everyone celebrating Diwali/Deepavali across Australia and around the world including Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and diaspora communities.

Shane Warren
Oct 181 min read


8 Things You Need to know about Family Estrangement - Online Live Webinar
Explore “8 Things You Need to Know About Family Estrangement” — expert-led insights into adult separation, healing, and systemic dynamics.
susansandya
Oct 171 min read


International Day for Tolerance: VMHPAA calls for a shift from tolerance to acceptance and everyday practices that build belonging
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) marks the International Day for Tolerance by urging communities, workplaces, and services to go beyond “putting up with” differences and move toward acceptance creating cultures where people feel safe, respected, and able to belong.

Shane Warren
Oct 162 min read
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