G’day,

When I first started working in mental health, I was surprised by the liberal use of the word “consumer” to describe people who use the clinical care system.

In the trade union movement where I come from, people might be called workers, employees, or members. On the flip side, there were bosses or employers to deal with.

When I worked in the environmental movement, we talked about activists for those trying to drive change. We called those with expert knowledge of natural systems scientists or ecologists. We described communities where nature was loved and its destruction consequential.

But why “consumers”?

Before you hit reply, that is a rhetorical question. I know why. But I wonder if there is a deeper question here.

As consumers, we are part of a transaction. We exist in a market. Markets are made by goods and services delivered in exchange for money, whether that is yours, your insurer’s, or the government’s.

But is the mental health crisis simply a market crisis? Or is it something much more human?

As our Mental Health Compass shows, Australians see mental health as a shared responsibility. We know the pressure does not fall on individuals alone. It rises from the world around us, from our communities, from the systems we live and work in.

And in a market, as consumers, we are typically alone. Left to make the best of whatever is available.

I say that is not good enough. I say we are much more than consumers. We are sisters, brothers, parents, children, neighbours, co-workers, teammates, and friends.

We are Australians, citizens with the ability to shape the future of our whole country, and in so doing, our own lives.

That might feel inspiring, but it can also feel overwhelming. So where do we begin?

Ask yourself these three questions and reply to this email telling me what you come up with:

Where does the pressure on your mental health, big or small, temporary or long-term, come from?
Who else might be having a similar, even if not identical, experience?
Is there something we treat as normal that, if it were changed, redesigned, reimagined, abolished, or created, would ease pressure on your mental health?

You will soon see two things:

You are not alone, far from it. You are not strange or different. Your mental health challenge might actually be the most normal thing about you.
Change is possible. But it is only possible when we work together to make it real.

Thanks for being with us on this journey.

Do you know someone who might like to join you as an Australians for Mental Health member? Forward them this email with a note. The first month is free, then it is just $4 a month, and if that is too steep, we will waive it. They can cancel at any time. They can join at afmh.org.au/join

Best,

Chris

Chris Gambian
Executive Director
afmh.org.au