Serious reform needed to address growing Australian mental health crisis [Video]

With the Federal Election being two years ago today, this is the mental health reform we should demand going into an election year, Simon Katterl writes.

HOW LONG must a crisis persist before crisis is seen as government policy? Not a week goes by that we don’t hear about Australians taking their lives or being harmed by an imperfect mental health system.

And while there are complex arrangements between different levels of government, it is fair to say the Commonwealth has never stepped up to a leadership role.

As we are a year out from an election, Australians need governments, oppositions and cross-bench leaders to step up and put mental health on the map. Many topics deserve discussion, such as stigma, discrimination and contested debates around Medicare rebates.

However, for real change, we should focus on the structural problems and the structural solutions.

Here are five structural policies any prospective politician should have a …