Governments need to work together to improve outcomes for people using mental health and suicide prevention services. That's the purpose of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement that Commonwealth, state and territory governments signed up to in 2022.

But the interim report of the PC's review of the Agreement has found it is not fit for purpose and the next agreement should take a new approach.

In this episode, Richard speaks with PC Commissioner Selwyn Button about what the PC's review has uncovered so far and what the road ahead looks like for Australia's mental health and suicide prevention services.

If this content raises issues for you, help is available:

• Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467
• 13 YARN 13 92 76
• Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
• BeyondBlue 1300 224 636
• eHeadspace 1800 650 890
• Carer Gateway 1800 422 737

The PC is not in a position to provide advice or make recommendations on individual circumstances. Our focus is on the broad issues raised in response to the inquiry terms of reference.

If you need specific help or advice, please contact one of the services above.

Episode notes

• Interim report: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review - Public inquiry - Productivity Commission
• Next episode: Trade and Assistance Review - https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoing/tar

You might have heard about the Productivity Commission but what does it do? Richard Aedy speaks with PC Chair Danielle Wood about the work of the PC and how it helps inform government policy. They also discuss the importance of productivity and what Australia can do to get it moving again.

Episode notes

What does the PC do?

• Inquiries: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries
• Self-initiated research: https://www.pc.gov.au/research
• Ongoing performance reporting and benchmarking: https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoing
• Competitive neutrality complaints: https://www.pc.gov.au/about/core-functions/competitive-neutrality

Completed research

• Housing construction productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/housing-construction
• 2025 Report on Government Services: https://www.pc.gov.au/ongoing/report-on-government-services
• Closing the Gap Information Repository: https://www.pc.gov.au/closing-the-gap-data
• Competitive neutrality investigation report - Australia Post: https://www.pc.gov.au/competitive-neutrality/investigations/australia-post
• Advances in measuring healthcare productivity: https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/measuring-healthcare-productivity

Coming soon

• Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/mental-health-review#interim

• Pillars of Productivity Growth

• Creating a dynamic and resilient economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/resilient-economy#interim

• Building a skilled and adaptable workforce: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/adaptable-workforce#interim

• Harnessing data and digital technology: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/data-digital#interim

• Delivering quality care more efficiently: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/quality-care#interim

• Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/net-zero#interim

• Opportunities in the circular economy: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/circular-economy#report