Hi Allegra,

Since the tragic attacks at Bondi Junction, I have been contacted by the family and friends of people suffering with complex conditions, telling me of the challenges they face every day caring for their loved ones.

This has started a national conversation about how we can best support those living with complex mental health conditions. It's a conversation that was long overdue.

Last week in Parliament I held a roundtable on how we can best support those living with complex mental conditions. I was joined by stakeholders from across the mental health sector and those with lived experience of experiencing or caring for those with complex mental health conditions.

I am incredibly grateful to Elizabeth Young, who bravely shared her family's struggle to find support after her daughter, Jade, was killed in the Bondi Junction tragedy.

Many of those who shared their stories asked for more consistency of services and much better coordination between different levels of government.

The call from 17 organisations represented at the roundtable was for long-term funding and reform agreements between Federal and State/Territory Governments, the announcement of the date for a full-day Mental Health Ministers meeting and the inclusion of mental health reform in the National Health Reform Agreement.

We've made progress already. I am pleased to share that the government has now announced the date for the full-day Mental Health Ministers meeting.

I welcome the steps they have taken already, and will continue to work with them to progress these crucial reforms for our community. I'll keep you updated on these outcomes as they occur.

If you have feedback or questions, please get in touch by emailing me on [email protected].

Thanks for your support,

Allegra Spender MP

If you or a family member or friend needs support, I also encourage you to make use of these resources here:

• NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511
• Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online here.
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or chat online here.
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or chat online here.
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76 
• Headspace on 1800 650 890 
• ReachOut at au.reachout.com