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Mental health gets just 2% of health budgets—unchanged since 2017. 💸 Spending: >$50 in rich nations, <$1 in poorer ones. 👥 Only 13 mental health workers per 100K people globally. This is a global eq...

YouTube video by Northwestern Univ. Feinberg School of Medicine

The Guardian reports on the escalating cost-of-living crisis affecting Australian households, with rising interest rates, fuel prices, and housing stress pushing many to their financial limits. NSW farmer Justin Everitt describes the situation as 'unsustainable,' noting that the Reserve Bank's recent cash rate increase to 4.6% has compounded existing pressures. The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (Hilda) survey reveals worsening financial wellbeing, with 24.1% of females and 20.8% of males reporting declining financial health since 2020. Housing stress has surged, and food insecurity has risen from 13.7% in 2020 to 17.9% in 2024. A Lowy Institute poll shows more Australians are pessimistic about the economy than optimistic for the first time, while the Scanlon Institute links financial difficulty to increased emotional distress. Dr. Lay San Too and Dr. Yamna Taouk from the University of Melbourne highlight the mental health impacts, noting that persistent financial hardship is now more damaging to mental health than before. Households are making drastic cuts, such as shopping for discounted items, reducing medical appointments, and forgoing social activities. Single parents like Lauren Bennett, who has a full-time government job, describe being 'stretched to the limits' with no room for further cuts. Taylor, a Sydney renter, reports sleep disturbances due to financial stress, while Erin Richardson delays starting a family due to economic uncertainty. The article emphasizes that the crisis is not just economic but a public health issue, with financial buffers exhausted and no clear path to recovery. Farmers like Everitt warn that rising fuel costs affect food production and distribution, creating a ripple effect for consumers. The Guardian concludes that the tipping point may have already been reached, with households experiencing an 'onslaught of punches' that leaves them feeling powerless and unable to see a way forward.

As digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) proliferate, there is a growing need to understand the complexities of moving these tools from concept …

Experts are urging coordinated global action to address the links between excessive digital media use and declining mental health, poor sleep, and physical inactivity among young people. In a series of papers published in The Lancet, researchers highlight that technology companies have treated public health as 'an afterthought' while developing business models focused on capturing user attention and gathering data. The research, which synthesizes data from nine million people under 25, found that high levels of digital media consumption—described as 'problematic' use—was associated with a greater risk of mental health difficulties, sleep disruption, and reduced exercise. However, the researchers note that these connections remain 'modest' and are based on low-certainty evidence that cannot establish cause and effect. Professor Ilona Kickbusch of the Digital Transformations for Health Lab (DTH-Lab) in Switzerland emphasized that digital media use is now woven into the fabric of childhood and young adulthood, with governments allowing technology companies to write their own rules. She argued that with proper governance, a healthier digital world for young people is possible. The researchers also calculated that spending over two hours daily on screens could globally lead to around 2.8 million healthy years of life lost to depression and 240,000 lost to obesity annually. Dr. Falk Muller-Riemenschneider of the National University of Singapore cautioned that these estimates are illustrative of potential harm, not accurate measurements. The series recommends that governments require technology firms to evaluate new products or features for potential harm before release and to share data with independent researchers. It also calls for an international panel to monitor AI-related harms for children and a global governance treaty under the World Health Organisation to establish baseline standards. Professor Barbara Prainsack of the University of Vienna warned that technology companies are using tactics similar to those of the tobacco and fossil fuel industries, such as manufacturing doubt and discrediting critics. She stressed that a public health approach should focus on population-level evidence rather than individual cases, arguing that good regulation drives innovation towards safety and trust. Dr. Jay Shaw of the University of Toronto urged further research into specific design features of digital platforms, noting that features like infinite scroll and autoplay are deliberate design choices, not matters of individual self-control. The findings follow a major study in JAMA Pediatrics, which analyzed data from over 2.8 million children across 64 countries, indicating that increased screen time for gaming, social media, and video streaming correlates with reduced academic performance, language development delays, and higher socioemotional and mental health issues.

The Coomera Cutters Rugby League Club has announced a commitment to champion mental health causes following the tragic deaths of two young players, Treyvon Bradshaw (13) and Kaiyah Kennedy (12), who took their own lives within days of each other. Both children had strong connections to the club, with Treyvon being a current player and Kaiyah an alumni. Club president Joe Smith expressed deep sorrow, stating the incidents had devastated the club's community, particularly as he has young children himself. The club, which is already part of the Queensland Rugby League’s Support Squad network, plans to organise events to provide mental health and bereavement support to current players and host fundraisers to keep the boys' memories alive. Smith emphasised that community sport is about community first, noting that for many children, the weekly training sessions offer a vital break and social connection. The club aims to raise awareness about mental health, encourage open conversations about struggles, and support families affected by the tragedies. Fundraisers in the boys' memory have already raised over $50,000. Smith urged the community to seek help through resources like beyondblue (1300 22 4636) and headspace.org.au, stressing that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. The club's initiative reflects a broader effort to address mental health challenges among young people in the Gold Coast community, with a focus on prevention and support through community engagement.

Victoria's mental health watchdog, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC), has been significantly weakened by the state government through budget cuts, staff reductions, and the removal of its independent oversight powers, despite recommendations from a royal commission. Internal documents reveal that the government systematically undermined the watchdog's ability to monitor the mental health system, track reforms, and investigate systemic issues such as insufficient mental health beds for young people, illegal use of restraints, patient discharges into homelessness, and workforce crises due to poor pay. The MHWC was denied access to crucial data by the Department of Health, which refused to share information on patient admissions, emergency department wait times, and safety incidents. The commission also refused to sign a secret data-sharing agreement that would have compromised its independence, leading to further obstruction. The government reduced the MHWC's budget from $9.93 million to $4.76 million, slashed staff from 43.9 to 27.19 full-time equivalents, and replaced four independent commissioners with a single commissioner, Jennifer Black, who began her role in September 2026 with a greatly reduced mandate. The MHWC had planned to publicly expose the government's retreat from royal commission recommendations but did not follow through before the changes were implemented. The commission's concerns about systemic issues, including unsafe facility conditions and prolonged emergency department stays for mental health patients, were not addressed through investigations, and some critical findings were removed from public reports. The new commissioner now faces the challenge of navigating a weakened oversight framework while the government continues to centralize control over mental health policy.

Conor Curran, a former MasterChef Australia contestant, recounts his journey of meeting Chris, a man he connected with through Grindr, during a vulnerable period in his life. After losing his hospitality career due to the pandemic, Curran decided to join MasterChef Australia in 2021, where he was eliminated but continued to struggle with the aftermath of lockdowns and public recognition. During his time on the reality show, which filmed in Argentina, Curran was only allowed one 15-minute video call per week, and he used most of his allotted time talking to Chris. The show's 24/7 filming and intense challenges took a toll on his mental health, but Chris was always there for him, even answering calls at 3am. In the final week of the competition, Curran wrote a letter to Chris expressing his feelings, which he later gave to him. The couple, who initially kept their relationship casual, eventually became engaged and plan to move back to England together. Curran credits the therapy provided by the network after the show for helping him become a better partner. The story highlights the unexpected connection formed during a challenging time, showing how support from a partner can be crucial during personal and professional upheavals. The article is part of The Guardian's 'The moment I knew' series, which invites readers to share their personal stories of realizing love.

In January 1943, Hollywood actress Frances Farmer was violently arrested at the Knickerbocker Hotel in Los Angeles for violating her probation. The arrest occurred after Farmer had been stopped for driving with her headlights on during a wartime blackout in October 1942, which led to a $500 fine and probation with strict orders not to drink. By early 1943, her behavior had become increasingly erratic, including a physical altercation on a movie set where she allegedly slapped a studio hairdresser. When authorities investigated the assault, they discovered Farmer had failed to pay the remaining balance of her $500 drunk-driving fine from the previous year and had violated her sobriety order. A judge issued a warrant for her arrest on January 6, 1943. On January 14, 1943, police found Farmer drunk and sleeping naked in her hotel room. She fiercely resisted arrest, refusing to dress and forcing officers to wrap her in a blanket and drag her out kicking and screaming. Her hearing the following day became legendary as she mocked the judge and threw an inkwell at him, defending her drinking habits by stating, 'I get liquor in my milk, I get liquor in my coffee and in my orange juice, what do you expect me to do, starve to death?' The judge initially sentenced her to 180 days in jail, but due to her highly unstable behavior, her family and a sister-in-law intervened. Instead of serving prison time, she was transferred to a psychiatric institution in Los Angeles, marking the beginning of her tragic, years-long institutionalization in psychiatric hospitals. This case highlights the intersection of celebrity, mental health, and the justice system in mid-20th century America.

Mayor Karen Bass has ordered an independent review of the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) policies and training protocols for handling individuals experiencing mental health crises. The mayor criticized the current officer training as 'woefully inadequate,' noting that patrol officers receive minimal specialized training beyond basic academy instruction, with most receiving only video-based roll call sessions. Recent incidents, including the fatal shooting of Alejandro Garcia on July 29, 2026, where officers shot a man holding an aluminum bat, have highlighted the department's shortcomings in de-escalation techniques. Bass emphasized that the review will examine dispatch protocols, supervisor involvement, and officer training across all levels, including a five-year analysis of cases involving individuals with known mental health conditions where force was avoided. The review also aims to identify best practices for de-escalation and assess the department's handling of individuals booked into jails and detention facilities. Bass acknowledged the LAPD's recent adoption of de-escalation training but stressed that more needs to be done, particularly regarding distinguishing between mental health symptoms, physical disabilities, and drug-related behaviors. The directive comes amid Bass's reelection campaign against progressive challenger Nithya Raman, who has also criticized the LAPD's handling of mental health crises. Polling shows Raman leading Bass by double digits among likely L.A. voters, with 33% still undecided. The mayor also highlighted the need for social workers to accompany officers on mental health calls, a practice currently limited to specialized units. Despite LAPD policies prioritizing de-escalation and less-lethal alternatives, shootings involving individuals with mental health issues remain a concern, with statistics showing at least a third of police shootings in past years involved individuals displaying signs of emotional distress. Bass's review aims to address systemic failures in both police response and the broader mental health care system, ensuring officers receive appropriate training and support while maintaining public safety.