Mental Health Australia chief executive Matt Berriman quits

The head of Australia’s peak mental health body has resigned citing a ‘lack of traction’ from the Albanese government despite a national crisis.

Mental Health Australia chief executive Matt Berriman has resigned.

The head of Australia’s peak mental health body has resigned citing a “lack of traction” from the Albanese government ­despite a national crisis.

Mental Health Australia chief executive Matt Berriman took aim at a lack of action from the federal government, urging the commonwealth to undertake major public policy reform and increase funding in services.

“While I depart the organisation comfortable with the ­efforts taken to advocate for meaningful change, I feel that a lack of traction at the Australian government level means it is time for someone else to take this important mental health mantle,” Mr Berriman said.

“The nation is amid a mental health crisis and Australians need urgent collaborative attention at the highest level.”

It comes as leading psychologists called on the federal government to fully fund psychology sessions for young people aged 15 to 25 after rates of mental health problems for the cohort doubled in 10 years.

In a pre-budget submission, the Australian Psychological ­Society has urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to create a youth mental health safety net through Medicare in a bid to make services more ­affordable.

The peak body has also called on the government to reinstate the number of rebated psychological sessions to 20 for young people experiencing severe and complex mental disorders.

Health Minister Mark Butler cut back rebated sessions to 10, sparking criticism from psychologists and Labor MP Josh Burns, who urged the government to ­reconsider the decision.

In August 2020, the number of sessions available through the Better Access program was temporarily increased from 10 to 20 to help people suffering during the Covid pandemic.

Mr Butler thanked Mr Berriman for his work but warned “mental health reform will not happen overnight”.

“The Albanese government is committed to strengthening Medicare and providing equitable access to ensure all Australians receive the care they need – including mental health support,” Mr Butler said.

Opposition health and aged care spokeswoman Anne Ruston saying it was “absolutely disgraceful that the Albanese government is ignoring the issue of mental health to such a degree that the peak body’s chair has now designed to resign”.