Awareness Statement

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.

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.

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...

As we move into spring, VMHPAA reflects on a season of steady progress, principled advocacy, and growing national engagement.

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. 

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.

Today, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) proudly recognises National Coming Out Day - a day to celebrate the courage it takes to live authentically and to stand in solidarity with all members of the LGBTIQA+ community.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) extends warm greetings to everyone celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival also known as the Moon Festival and Tết Trung Thu across Australia and around the world.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) extends warm greetings to everyone celebrating Chuseok (추석) - Korea’s harvest moon festival - and to Korean diaspora communities across Australia and the world.

Today on World Suicide Prevention Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) joins the global call to raise awareness, break stigma, and build a culture of hope, connection, and prevention.

Today, on International Literacy Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) celebrates the transformative power of literacy, not only as an educational right, but as a cornerstone of mental wellbeing, self-empowerment, and community connection.

VMHPAA acknowledges the crisis and speaks to spotlight a deeply concerning reality: the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide delivered a thorough final report in September 2024 with 122 recommendations, yet only nine have been fully implemented to date.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) welcomes and supports the recent findings from Victorian researchers highlighting the mental health benefits of surf therapy for young people. As detailed in recent Deakin University studies, programs that connect young Australians to the ocean are demonstrating measurable outcomes in reducing distress, improving emotional regulation, and supporting re-engagement in daily life.

Today, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) joins communities across the nation in proudly celebrating Wear It Purple Day - a day dedicated to affirming and empowering LGBTIQA+ young people.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has lodged a formal submission to the NSW Government’s consultation on the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has today lodged a submission to the Australian Heritage Council in strong support of recognising the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Route on the National Heritage List.

Today on International Youth Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA)reaffirms its commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of young people across the country.

Today on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) stands in recognition of the rich cultures, contributions, and enduring wisdom of First Nations and Indigenous communities around the world.

Recent commentary from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reignited debate on the growing trend of using AI chatbots for therapeutic support. Surveys suggest that nearly half of people experiencing mental health challenges who also use AI are turning to large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT for help. While these tools are attractive, always available, cost-free, and accessible, serious concerns remain about privacy, safety, and efficacy.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) proudly joins the nation in recognising Aged Care Employee Day, a time to honour the dedicated professionals who provide compassionate care and dignity to our elders each and every day.