Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT) warmly welcomes the ACT Government’s continued commitment to young people’s mental health, with over $9.4 million allocated over the next four years in the 2025–26 Budget to support community-led programs, including MIEACT’s Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM).
The investment strengthens a network of early intervention and support services that meet young people where they are - in classrooms, online, and in the community, helping reduce pressure on hospitals while ensuring children and young people get the right support at the right time.
MIEACT CEO, Prudence Slaughter said the announcement is a powerful endorsement of the role lived experience plays in transforming mental health outcomes for young Canberrans.
“This investment is more than just funding – it’s a vote of confidence in the way MIEACT works. By sharing real stories of mental illness and recovery through programs like YAM, we connect with young people in ways that are relatable, hopeful, and life-changing,” Ms Slaughter said. “We are incredibly proud to stand alongside the ACT Government as a trusted partner in building a mentally healthy future for our community.”
Delivered in ACT high schools to Year 9 students, YAM is an evidence-based suicide prevention program that empowers students with the tools and language to talk about mental health, seek help, and support their peers. YAM is just one part of MIEACT’s comprehensive mental health education pathway, which begins in Year 3 and continues through to Year 12.
Starting with foundational concepts like emotional literacy and self-care in primary school, our programs grow with students - building awareness, resilience, and help-seeking behaviours. From Year 10 onwards, MIEACT’s signature lived experience storytelling is introduced, where trained Volunteer Educators share personal stories of mental illness and recovery to reduce stigma and create meaningful connection. This holistic, age-appropriate approach ensures that students receive consistent, relatable, and evidence-informed mental health education throughout their school years.
As one of five key initiatives receiving funding, YAM is part of a broader network that includes:
Sheryle Moon, MIEACT President, also acknowledged the strength of the partnerships behind this work. “The YAM program is successful because of the collaboration between schools, government, clinicians, and MIEACT’s dedicated lived experience educators. This support allows us to continue reaching more young people, breaking down stigma and fostering a culture of openness around mental health.”
Treasurer Chris Steel and Minister for Mental Health Rachel Stephen-Smith both reinforced the importance of investing in services that are embedded in community and shaped by the people they serve. “We want Canberra to be the best place in the country to raise children, and that means delivering the right support at the right time,” Mr Steel said.
“These programs are delivering real impact and reflect our long-term commitment to early intervention, prevention, and a connected mental health system,” added Minister Stephen-Smith.
At MIEACT, we know that meaningful change happens when young people feel heard, supported, and empowered. This funding ensures we can continue to walk alongside them, with empathy, safety, and purpose, as they navigate their mental health journeys.
Read the joint media release here: ACT Budget 2025-26: Supporting mental health services for young people - Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
For more information:
