Strong Minds Start Young: VMHPAA Marks Children's Mental Health Awareness Day with a Call for Early Support and Systemic Change
- Shane Warren
- May 7
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 May 2025
Strong Minds Start Young: VMHPAA Marks Children's Mental Health Awareness Day with a Call for Early Support and Systemic Change
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) joins national and global voices in recognising Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 7 - a powerful annual reminder that every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported.
With increasing evidence showing that early mental health intervention leads to better lifelong outcomes, VMHPAA is calling on governments, educators, families, and healthcare providers to prioritise mental health care for children as a fundamental right, not a privilege.
“We know that strong minds start young,” said Shane Warren, Chair of VMHPAA. “If we want to change the trajectory of mental health outcomes in this country, we must start earlier, normalising conversations, embedding support into everyday environments, and ensuring every child has access to appropriately trained professionals, especially those on the frontline like school-based and vocational mental health practitioners.”
VMHPAA continues to advocate for expanded access to vocationally trained counsellors, mental health workers, peer support specialists, and family support workers, many of whom work directly with children and young people in schools, community centres, and at-risk settings.
This May 7, the Association urges Australians to:
Speak openly about mental wellbeing with young people
Support school and community mental health programs
Advocate for policies that embed early intervention and accessible services
Recognise the essential work of vocational mental health professionals across the sector
About VMHPAA
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia is the national peak body dedicated to advancing the standards, voice, and professional support of vocationally qualified mental health practitioners across Australia.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren
Chair,
VMHPAA
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