PM promises better access to treatment and counselling, saying many Australians have ‘issues that we need to talk about more’
Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignPolls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverageAnywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guideListen to the first episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcast
Anthony Albanese became visibly emotional while recalling the mental health struggle of a family friend who nearly died, as he launched Labor’s $1bn pledge to boost access to treatment and counselling.
The prime minister recalled being shocked as a young man by the difficulties faced by his friend’s niece and said many Australians have “issues that we need to talk about more”.
Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
More Stories
Australia news live: Chalmers warns of ‘global dislocation’ as Treasury reveals biggest threats to economy
First group of white South Africans arrive in US after Trump grants refugee status
Hamas frees last living US citizen held in Gaza in what Trump calls a ‘good faith step’