National Prevention Week: VMHPAA Champions the Role of Vocationally Trained Professionals in Safeguarding Australia's Wellbeing
- Shane Warren
- May 12
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 May 2025
National Prevention Week: VMHPAA Champions the Role of Vocationally Trained Professionals in Safeguarding Australia's Wellbeing
As Australia observes National Prevention Week, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association Australia (VMHPAA) is proud to shine a spotlight on the essential role of vocationally trained professionals in delivering early intervention and prevention strategies that protect the mental and physical wellbeing of individuals and communities.
From community support workers and lived experience peer practitioners, to counsellors and youth mental health workers, vocationally trained professionals are often the first point of contact in the care journey. They work tirelessly in schools, neighbourhood centres, aged care homes, and frontline services to promote wellbeing, address risk factors early, and reduce the long-term burden on Australia’s healthcare system.
“Prevention isn’t a luxury, it’s the frontline of national wellbeing,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “And it’s vocationally trained mental health professionals who are doing the everyday work of preventing crisis before it happens, whether through suicide prevention, addiction support, or helping families stay connected in hard times.”
With mental health needs increasing across the nation, early intervention has never been more vital. Vocationally trained practitioners bring a practical, accessible, and community-embedded approach to prevention that complements the work of clinical and medical professionals.
“These practitioners are uniquely placed,” said Susan Sandy, VMHPAA Secretary and a leading community wellbeing educator, specialising in suicide prevention. “They understand the communities they serve, they build trust quickly, and they get to people early, long before distress escalates into diagnosis.”
VMHPAA Calls for Greater Recognition of Vocational Practitioners in Prevention Strategies
In recognition of National Prevention Week, VMHPAA calls for:
Increased investment in vocational training pathways that produce qualified early intervention mental health professionals.
Expanded roles for vocational practitioners in primary care, education, and community-based wellbeing initiatives.
Policy inclusion that recognises the critical preventative impact of peer workers, counsellors, and support workers with vocational credentials.
National Prevention Week is a timely reminder that proactive, community-based care is the most effective way to improve national health outcomes and vocational professionals are the cornerstone of that vision.
Let’s invest in the people who help prevent crisis, promote resilience, and keep our communities strong.
About VMHPAA
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) is the national voice for professionals with vocational qualifications working in mental health. Representing counsellors, psychotherapists, peer workers, family support practitioners, and others, VMHPAA promotes excellence, advocacy, and ethical standards across all mental health care environments.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
VMHPAA
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