National Pain Week (Australia): Recognising the Hidden Burden of Chronic Pain
- Shane Warren
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
26th July 2026
During National Pain Week, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) recognises the millions of Australians living with chronic pain and acknowledges the significant impact persistent pain can have on mental health, relationships, employment, and quality of life.
Pain is not simply a physical experience. When it persists, it can affect every aspect of a person's wellbeing contributing to anxiety, depression, social isolation, sleep disturbance, financial stress, and reduced participation in everyday life.
Understanding pain means recognising the whole person, not just the condition.
VMHPAA Chair Shane Warren said:
"People living with chronic pain often carry an invisible burden. The pain itself can be exhausting, but so too can the frustration of feeling misunderstood. Effective care recognises that physical health, mental health, and emotional wellbeing are deeply connected. We achieve the best outcomes when we treat the person, not simply the symptoms." [Shane Warren]
Contemporary pain management increasingly recognises the value of multidisciplinary care, bringing together medical practitioners, psychologists, counsellors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other health professionals to support people living with persistent pain.
VMHPAA Secretary Susan Sandy added:
"Living with ongoing pain can affect confidence, relationships, employment, and hope for the future. Compassionate support, early intervention, and coordinated care can make a meaningful difference in helping people regain both function and quality of life." [Susan Sandy]
National Pain Week is an opportunity to:
Increase understanding of chronic pain and its psychological impacts.
Reduce stigma surrounding invisible illnesses.
Encourage early access to multidisciplinary support.
Promote evidence-informed approaches to pain management.
Recognise that emotional wellbeing is an essential part of living well with chronic pain.
No one should have to navigate persistent pain alone.
By recognising the connection between physical pain and mental wellbeing, we can build more compassionate communities and more effective health systems that support people to live fulfilling lives.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
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