Public Response

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) welcomes the Federal Government’s Final 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) is backing National Safe Work Month this October and endorsing Safe Work Australia’s 2025 campaign theme - safety: every job, every day - urging employers to give equal weight to psychological and physical safety in every role, on every shift.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) today welcomed the Australian Government’s Independent Review of Health Professions Regulation (July 2025), calling it “a sensible reset” that prioritises public safety while recognising the full health workforce, registered and non-registered alike.

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.

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 welcomed recent correspondence from the Hon. Andrew Giles MP, Federal Minister for Skills and Training, and the Hon. Steve Whan MP, NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, both acknowledging the important role of vocationally trained counsellors in Australia’s mental health workforce and the Association’s advocacy around the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapi

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has welcomed correspondence from the NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, the Hon. Steve Whan MP, in response to concerns about the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) continues to lead national advocacy on behalf of vocationally trained counsellors, ensuring that the voices of our members, and the communities they serve, are heard in the debate over the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

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) is pleased to acknowledge recent correspondence from the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, confirming that the concerns of vocationally trained counsellors and psychotherapists are being actively considered as part of the review of the Draft National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has welcomed a successful meeting with Senator Jacqui Lambie, during which the Senator expressed strong support for vocationally trained counsellors and their vital role in Australia’s mental health system.

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.

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.